Polk County US-64 Rockslide Update for March 30

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The emergency contractor working to stabilize and repair damage from the November 10, 2009 rockslide on U.S. 64 in Polk County continues to work toward a completion date of April 16, 2010. Late last week, crews broke up and hauled off the majority of the remaining slide debris

along the river bank and boat ramp below the main slide.  Rock bolting crews continue working both day and night to drill the mountainside in preparation for rock bolts. The rock bolting crews averaged approximately 600’ of drilling per day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which is above the anticipated level of production.

 

Heavy rains and strong winds forced the contractor to suspend work on Sunday. The large 275-ton crane used to drill into the mountainside shuts down for safety when winds reach above 15 miles per hour. Construction crews resumed work on Monday morning and continued scaling the eastern side of the slope in preparation for installation of more rock bolts. Rock bolts are used to secure the top layer of rock to the bottom layer to provide more stability along the slope.

 

US-64 in Polk County is closed at mile marker 17.6 due to a major rockslide near the Ocoee 2 Dam. A portion of Little Frog Mountain slid into the roadway on November 10, 2009. The roadway is scheduled to reopen to traffic on April 16, 2010.

 

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.

 

TDOT is providing a live look at the work underway to clear the rockslide via a time-lapse camera accessible by logging onto TDOT’s US-64 Rockslide web page (http://bit.ly/1Tlc8m) where you can also sign up to receive the weekly US-64 Rockslide newsletter.

 

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.

 

For more information contact:
Jennifer A. Flynn
TDOT Region Two Community Relations Officer
423-510-1164
Jennifer.Flynn@tn.gov

 

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