TDOT Completes Rockslide Repairs on U.S. 441 in Sevier County

 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The final stripes have been laid and the orange barrels have been removed along U.S. 441/SR-71 in Sevier County. The Tennessee Department of Transportation's emergency contractor, Charles Blalock and Sons, Inc., put the finishing touches on the roadway on Friday morning shortly after 8 a.m. In the final week of the project, crews finished striping and shoulder work to end the second phase of the contract right on schedule.

 

On January 25, 2010, a rockslide at mile marker 21 on U.S. 441/SR-71 blocked the southbound lanes of the roadway known locally as "the Spur" near Pigeon Forge in Sevier County and southbound traffic was temporarily diverted to one of the northbound lanes. On February 8, TDOT awarded a $713,909 emergency contract to Charles Blalock and Sons, Inc. to stabilize the rockfall site and clear any debris from the roadway. In phase one of the project, crews installed 54 rock dowels to stabilize the slope. The contractor built a 2,411 square foot retaining wall which included 40,000 pounds of steel H piles combined with timber, and 1,800 tons of graded solid rock. Phase one was finished 11 days early which allowed the contractor to receive a $50,000 incentive. 

 

During phase two of the project, at the request of the National Park Service, crews added a stone veneer façade to help the wall to blend in with the rest of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park's scenery. Crews also repaved and restriped the southbound lanes and northbound lanes impacted by the detour. Workers installed a concrete barrier wall along the face of the retaining wall and steel guardrail to give added protection for motorists. According to the contract, phase two was expected to be finished by April 30.

 

"We are excited to see the project finished quickly and safely before the summer tourist season begins in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park," Region One Director Steve Borden said. "We are pleased to see traffic flowing through 'the Spur' without interruption again."

 

For up to date travel information, motorists may dial 5-1-1 from any land line or cell phone or visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway. TDOT is also on Twitter. For traffic information in Knoxville and Tri-Cities areas follow @Knoxville511. For statewide travel information follow @TN511.

 

As always, motorists are encouraged to Know Before You Go! and check traffic conditions before leaving. When travelers encounter traffic delays on the roadway they should always practice common sense safety precautions when using any of these services and avoid texting, tweeting or operating a cell phone when driving.

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