Polk County US-64 Rockslide Update for April 1

 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. Crews are drilling 15’ to 40’ deep holes throughout the face of the rock slope as they prepare to install 2” diameter threaded anchor bolts that will help prevent future slides from occurring.

 

Other crews continue scaling the eastern side of the slope’s main slide area to remove any remaining loose rock or debris that could present a hazard for roadway users below.  Additionally, crews are removing rockfall debris from the roadway surface, river, river bank, and boat ramp with repairs to the boat ramp scheduled to begin later today.  A separate crew began disassembling the 100’ long rockfall fence that was erected above the TVA dam.

 

With blasting complete, construction crews will continue to work 24 hour schedules to clear the site of debris and perform rock bolting operations. This schedule is expected to continue until the work is complete and the road reopened to traffic.

 

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.