Interstate 40 West Closed in Cocke County Due to Rockslide
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 | 04:32am
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Both lanes of Interstate 40 West in Cocke County have been closed following an early morning rockslide between Mile Markers 450 and 451.
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Geotechnical Engineers are continuing to evaluate the slide and are currently developing a plan to stabilize the mountainside. An emergency contract will also be initiated to clean-up debris from this morning’s slide.
There is currently no estimate for when I-40 West will reopen.
In the meantime, motorists traveling on I-40 West can take the following detour around the rockslide area:
From North Carolina:
Motorists are advised to take I-240 West (Exit 53B) in Asheville to I-26 West (Exit 4A) to I-81 South (Exit 8A) back to I-40 West.
The detour route is approximately 53 miles.
For up to the minute traffic information in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/knoxville511. For statewide travel information, follow www.twitter.com/TN511.
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For more information:
Mark Nagi
TDOT Region 1 Community Relations Officer
Office 865.594.0161
Mobile 865.255.7731
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