U.S. 129 Slide Repair Update for June 10

 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Crews on the U.S. 129/SR-115 rockslide repair and removal project in Blount Count are working to install more rock bolts and hang new sections of wire mesh despite a series of storms carrying strong winds and lightning through the area.

 

Tennessee Department of Transportation emergency contractor Pacific Blasting & Demolition Ltd. continues to monitor an unstable rock mass along the slope. The mass began to shift and move on June 2. Crews have been pumping water onto the unstable area to saturate and lubricate the rock in hopes the mass will fall from the slope without the need to conduct trim blasting. Water pumping continues, however, a plan for more trim blasting is being developed in case the unstable rock does not fall on its own. Last week, crews were in the process of drilling 21 holes for low-impact explosives to be used for trim blasting, when they noticed substantial movement in the area and suspended the drilling on that side of the project. Next week, a specialized crane is expected to arrive, to allow crews to continue to drill safely and out of the path of the unstable rock mass. Multiple trim blasts may be used to cause the area of concern to fall.

 

Meanwhile, 80 percent of the rock bolts have been installed to stabilize the remaining rockslide area. Crews will hang and lace together the newest section of wire mesh over the next few days. Another section of wire mesh should arrive at the rockslide repair site this weekend.  

 

For up to date information on the U.S. 129 rockslide removal/stabilization project, visit the TDOT website at www.tn.gov/tdot/US129Rockslide/default.htm, where you can view a live camera feed of work ongoing at the site as well as video and photos from the project. For the latest video visit http://www.youtube.com/user/TDOTnews  . 

 

The U.S. 129 rockslide project is estimated to be completed by July 31, 2010. The contractor will earn a $195,000 incentive if the roadway is opened by July 1, 2010.

 

U.S. 129/SR-115 is closed from just past the Foothills Parkway to the Tabcat Bridge. A short section of U.S. 129 between the Tabcat Bridge and the North Carolina state line, known as "The Dragon", is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., however no through traffic is allowed at the rockslide site at any time. Detours remain in place to allow motorists to get around the rockslide repair area.

 

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