Unstable rock causes I-40 closure
Instability in the rocky roadside caused by blasting along Interstate 40 in Haywood County has caused the second road closure in three days between mile markers 6 and 8.
On Saturday (Sept. 12), following blasting contractors noted an “unstable rock mass,” said N.C. Department of Transportation spokesperson Ken Ulmer, so they opted to close the road in order to remove any unstable rock.
“There was not a blast today, just some construction, but again just some loose rock masses that crews said, ‘We should get this stabilized,’” Ulmer said.
Consequently, the road at mile marker 6 is likely to remain closed until later this evening. Local traffic can use I-40 west of Asheville through Canton, Clyde and Maggie Valley to Harmon Den at exit 7. Traffic toward Tennessee will be detoured through Asheville on Interstate 26 west to Johnson City and then south on Interstate 81 to access I-40.
Safety is always our top priority,” says Aaron Powell, NCDOT District Engineer. “We want to be sure the area we’ve been working in is completely safe before reopening the highway to traffic. We appreciate drivers’ patience as we ensure their safe passage through Haywood County.”
The project, which began in June, is aimed at reducing the risk of rockslides and is scheduled to finish by mid-October.
Realtime travel information is available at http://NCOITS.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d%3a%2b619%26JDG%3c%3a5%3c460%40%26SDG%3c90%3a.=MC=4257575=False=10462=Follow+Link.
