Polk County US-64 Rockslide Update for April 6

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. –Crews continue cleaning up the rockslide site by removing remaining debris, dismantling the temporary rockfall fence and making repairs to the river access ramp adjacent to Ocoee 2 Dam.  Rock bolting crews continue drilling in preparation for rock bolting operations on the

eastern side of the main slide area and expect to complete all drilling operations this week.  They are scheduled to install the bolts and grout them in place before week’s end.

Construction crews will continue to work 24 hour schedules to clear the site of debris and perform rock bolting operations until the work is complete and the road reopened to traffic.  The roadway is scheduled to reopen to traffic on April 16, 2010. 

 

Until then, US-64 in Polk County remains closed at mile marker 17.6 due to a major rockslide near the Ocoee 2 Dam that occurred on November 10, 2009. 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.

 

For more information contact:
Jennifer A. Flynn
TDOT Region Two Community Relations Officer
423-510-1164
Jennifer.Flynn@tn.gov