Polk County US-64 Rockslide Update for March 5

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Work continues to progress on the stabilization and clearing of the rockslide along US64 at Mile Marker 17 in Polk County. Construction crews with TDOT’s emergency contractor on the site, Charles Blalock & Sons, today drilled along the eastern side of the slope in preparation for blasting scheduled for Saturday.  Rock bolting crews are working along the western slope throughout the weekend.

 

On Wednesday, construction crews with Blalock & Sons worked by hand and with machine to remove rock, boulders and other debris loosened from previous blasts from the eastern side of the rock face. At the same time, subcontractor Hayward Baker installed and grouted 45 rock bolts on the western side of the slope and drilled additional holes for the installation of more rock bolts. To date, approximately 1000 ft. of rock bolts have been installed on the project.

 

On Thursday, Blalock & Sons continued working to remove loose rock and debris along the eastern slope while engineers marked additional locations for rock bolt installations along the western rock face in preparation for moving to a 24 hour a day rock bolting schedule. Hayward Baker continued drilling 25 ft. deep holes on the western slope for rock bolts.

 

Crews continue to work during daylight hours seven days a week. The contractor plans to implement nighttime work for various operations once they can be done safely.

 

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 contractor plans to continue working daylight hours on a seven day a week schedule, weather permitting, until the project is completed.  The roadway is scheduled to reopen to traffic on March 31, 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.