Archive for the ‘I-40’ Category

Finally! I-40 has reopened

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Six months after a rockslide that completely stopped traffic on Interstate 40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina border on October 25th, traffic is now running in both directions.

Both eastbound lanes and one westbound lane are now open. The second westbound lane will remain closed through the summer, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Needless to say, businesses in the area that were impacted by the closures are very happy today.

Also, this should help to alleviate some of the traffic in the Smokies from cars that were rerouted over Newfound Gap.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in I-40, reopened, rockslide, traffic | Comments Off

Another rock slide on I-40

Monday, January 25th, 2010
Another rock slide occurred over the weekend on I-40 near the Tennessee border, but it happened within the section already closed as a result of an earlier slide back in late October.

Officials don't anticipate it affecting overall cleanup plans.

NCDOT still estimates that the interstate could be fully reopened some time in March depending on weather conditions between now and then. The time needed to clean up the second rockslide should not change the timetable.

Interstingly, officials at the time of the first slide anticipated that the highway would "only" be closed for three months. Looks like this is going to be a five month project.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Posted in I-40, rock slide | Comments Off

Expect Thanksgiving travel delays around Smokies

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
Officials are warning travelers between Knoxville and Asheville to expect longer delays during the Thanksgiving weekend due to the rock slide (now known as the Pigeon River Gorge slide) that occurred on October 25th.

The N.C. Department of Transportation says the detour route using I-81 and I-26 is still the best choice for most travelers. It adds about 50 miles to the trip between Asheville and Knoxville.

Troopers are also expecting an increase on some of the region's smaller westerly routes.
One of those is US 25-70 from Asheville to Hot Springs and onto I-40 in Newport, Tenn.

The drive from Asheville to Knoxville through Hot Springs takes about an hour and 20 minutes. The trip from Asheville to Knoxville on the detour is only about 10 minutes longer.

One other alternate route to Knoxville is U.S. 441 through Cherokee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, drivers should beware that the park often closes the highway when it snows.

Transportation officials expect workers will need another four months to clear boulders from the slide just east of the Tennessee line.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why wait until Friday? Black Friday Deals have already started at Amazon.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

Posted in I-40, Pigeon River Gorge slide, Smokies, Thanksgiving, rock slide, travel delays | Comments Off

Cleanup of I-40 rock slide may take 3 months

Monday, October 26th, 2009
A rock slide on I-40 near the Tennessee/North Carolina border on Sunday morning has resulted in the highway being completely closed.

The Asheville Citizen-Times is reporting that it could take up to three months to completely clear debris that closed the highway in both directions at mile marker 3 in Haywood County, which is according to officials from the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The article was not clear as to whether or not all lanes will be closed during the entire three months while clean-up operations proceed, however.

In the meantime, I-40 traffic is being re-routed onto I-81 north to Johnson City. This appears to be add about an hour to the drive between Knoxville and Asheville.


Jeff
Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins Check out our cabin and chalet listings for the Smokies.

Posted in Haywood County, I-40, North Carolina, Tennessee, rock slide | Comments Off