TDOT Awards Contract for Clean-Up of Second U.S. 64 Rockslide
Monday, February 01, 2010 | 08:12am
Charles Blalock & Sons, Inc. Awarded Second Contract
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation has awarded contractor Charles Blalock and Sons, Inc. a $759,000 contract for the clean-up of a second rockslide along U.S. 64 at mile marker 10.9 near Maddens Branch in Polk County. The second slide occurred on January 19, 2010 and partially blocked the roadway, which is already closed due to a major slide that occurred at mile marker 17.6 near TVA Ocoee Dam Number 2 on November 10, 2009. Blalock is also the contractor working to clear the first rock slide at the TVA Ocoee Dam Number 2 and will coordinate the simultaneous clean-up of both slides.
The $759,000 contract with Blalock does include a provision requiring the completion of the clean-up work for the second slide site by March 26, 2010. While initially not as large as the November 10 rockslide, the second slide which occurred on January 18 will require removal of nearly twice the amount of unstable debris.
Assuming that weather or further instability of the two rock slopes does not further delay the progress on the rockslide clean-up efforts, TDOT remains committed to reopening US 64 by March 31, 2010.
Until U.S. 64 is reopened to traffic, motorists traveling to the area from Chattanooga or Cleveland should take I-75 North to Exit 60 (SR-68, Sweetwater) and follow SR-68 South through Monroe County and into Ducktown in Polk County. Those traveling from North Carolina are advised to take US-74 to SR-68 North at Ducktown through Polk County then onto I-75 at Sweetwater in Monroe County.
Motorists may also utilize a route through northern Georgia to travel around the rockslide area. From Copperhill/McCaysville at the Georgia State Line take Georgia Route 5 to U.S. Highway 76 to U.S. Highway 411 north to the Tennessee state line and on into Cleveland.
For more information on TDOT road construction projects visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at http://www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/. Travelers may also dial “511” for travel information or follow TDOT on Twitter. For statewide traffic updates follow TN511 or for the Chattanooga area, including updates on the US64 rockslide, follow Chattanooga511.
Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly. Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for your destination.
###