The Tennessee Highway Patrol is beefing up patrols along Interstates 81 and 26 in response to increased traffic volume following the closure of I-40 on the North Carolina and Tennessee border.

Interstate 40 is closed in both directions at mile marker 432 in Tennessee near the North Carolina state line due to a rockslide that occurred at mile marker 2.6 in North Carolina just after 2 a.m., Sunday, October 25, 2009. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has made an emergency declaration and has begun the clean up. However, engineers in North Carolina estimate it could take several months to clean up the entire slide and restore traffic on I-40. As a result, traffic is being detoured onto I-81, I-26 and I-240.

Alternate Routes:

• Motorists traveling east to North Carolina are advised to take I-81 North to I-26 East then back to I-40 East into Asheville, North Carolina. All Commercial Vehicles must take the I-81 route into North Carolina.

• All non-commercial vehicles of normal weight capacity are also encouraged to take I-81 but may also utilize an alternate route of I-40 East to Exit 432, Highway 25/70 to U.S. 1932 into Ashville, North Carolina.

• Motorists traveling west to Tennessee should take I-40 West to I-240 West in Asheville to I-26 West then follow I-26 West from Ashville to I-81 South in Tennessee, back to I-40.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is reporting that due to the nature of the rock slide, a top-down method may be used to remove the debris and stabilize the slide area. NCDOT is coordinating with the U.S. Forestry Service on this matter.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol reminds motorists to stay alert, travel at non-peak times and use alternate routes. If additional information is needed, please dial *THP (847) from a cellular phone to reach dispatch or 511 for TDOT travel information www.TN511.com. Internet users can visit www.TN.Gov/Safety and www.tdot.state.tn.us for up to date information.