Emergency Contract Awarded for I-40 Rockslide Cleanup

Wednesday, February 01, 2012 | 01:20pm

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) today awarded an emergency contract to remove debris and unstable rock from Interstate 40 West in Cocke County. Currently, the westbound lanes of the interstate are closed at Mile Marker 451.

The Department received bids from four different contractors, with Phillips and Jordan, Inc. of Knoxville submitting the lowest bid of $59,350.

The contractor is expected to begin work at the site of the rockslide on Thursday afternoon. TDOT anticipates being able to reopen the interstate by Monday, February 6.

Until the work is completed, I-40 West will remain closed to traffic at Mile Marker 451.

Motorists traveling on I-40 West can take the following detour around the rockslide area:

From North Carolina:

Motorists are advised to take I-240 West (Exit 53B) in Asheville to I-26 West (Exit 4A) to I-81 South (Exit 8A) back to I-40 West.

The detour route is approximately 55 miles.

For up to the minute traffic information in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/knoxville511. For statewide travel information, follow www.twitter.com/TN511.

###

Press Releases | Media Advisories | Road Closures | Transportation