U.S. 129 Slide Repair Update for May 6

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Drilling and grouting operations will dominate the rest of the week and the weekend at the rockslide area on U.S. 129/State Route 115 in Blount County. Tennessee Department of Transportation emergency contractor Pacific Blasting and Demolition Ltd. will add grout to the large anchor bolts on the east end of the slope. The grout will provide continued stability to the anchors, while protecting the steel from deterioration that can be caused by rust.

 

Crews have been drilling 20 and 30 foot holes for the anchors since last week. A larger drill and drill rig have been brought to the rockslide site, to allow crews to drill more holes for vertical rock bolts at the top of the slide area. The additional rock bolts will be added to the slope to provide more stability to an area that will be impacted by the removal of a large, unstable protruding rock mass. That mass known as the buttress is expected to be removed through another phase of low impact trim blasting in the near future. Approximately 45 to 60 anchor bolts will be added in the coming days to provide stabilization before the buttress is removed.