U.S.-64 in Polk County Reopens to Traffic

 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Traffic is once again flowing on U.S. 64 in Polk County after five months of work to clear and stabilize two rockslides along the route. Workers completed the work to stabilize and clear the two rockslides along U.S. 64 in the Ocoee Gorge at 11:15 a.m. ET today and traffic was allowed on U.S. 64 for the first time since November 10, 2009 when the road was completely closed by a massive rockslide at mm 17.6 near TVA Ocoee 2 Dam. Work to stabilize the first rockslide began on November 16 with the awarding of a $2.1 million emergency contract to Charles Blalock and Sons, Inc. from Sevierville, TN. 

 

“I am very pleased to announce the reopening of this vital roadway through Polk County,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “I want to thank the people of Polk County for being patient with us as we worked on this difficult and dangerous project.”

 

In total, crews removed approximately 13,000 cubic yards of debris from the slide at mm 17.6, 7,000 cubic yards of material from the slide at mm 10.9, 10,000 cubic yards of material from the 15-m.p.h. curve. In addition, the contractor installed 450 individual rock bolts using 11,000 linear feet of bolting material, and drilled nearly 2,000 holes for 25 separate blasts.

 

The cleanup of the rockslide was complicated by the close proximity of the 97-year-old TVA dam situated at the foot of the slope. This required TDOT and contractor, Charles Blalock and Sons, to carefully plan and execute each blast which drastically affected the approach to the project.  To protect the dam during the project, contract crews constructed a rockfall protection fence made of recycled tires in front of the dam to stop rocks and boulders from impacting the structure. 

 

Further complications arose when a second slide occurred at mm 10.9 near Madden’s Branch on January 19, 2010. Another emergency contract for $759,000 was awarded to Blalock to also stabilize and clear this rockslide.

“The project to clean up the rockslide and safely reopen the road to traffic has been the most complex rockslide project in TDOT history,” added Nicely. “The project would have been hazardous and unpredictable under even the best conditions, but crews had to complete it during one of the harshest and wettest winters in many years.” 

 

“This is great news for the citizens of Polk County and the entire region,” stated Senator Dewayne Bunch. “I am very happy to have this project behind us, and hope this is the beginning of improved economic conditions for the area, particularly in eastern Polk County.”

 

Representative Eric Watson added, “I am very pleased that the citizens of Copperhill and Ducktown will no longer have to take the lengthy detour route to access jobs, doctors and schools, and I appreciate the effort that went into completing this difficult project.”

 

While U.S.-64 was closed, TDOT maintenance crews made improvements to areas all along the U.S. 64 corridor by reinforcing shoulders and removing potentially dangerous loose and hanging rock from the slopes. Removing rocks and material from the sides of some of the sharper curves also improved the safety and sight distance along the roadway.  Among the areas that saw major improvement is the notorious “15-m.p.h. curve,” an area at mm 14.5 that was extremely narrow and difficult to navigate. Crews improved the sight distance around the curve and added a wider shoulder to allow vehicles to more safely navigate the area.

 

The Federal Highway Administration has agreed to provide Emergency Relief funds to reimburse the state for work to clear the first rockslide. TDOT has also applied for Emergency Relief funds for the second rockslide site.

 

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