NC Dept of Transportation Information on I-40 Rockslides
Date Posted: 2/2/2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 3, 2012
Rockslide Occurs on Closed Section of I-40 West in North Carolina
Travel to Western North Carolina destinations remains unaffected
RALEIGH — Around noon today, a rockslide occurred on Interstate 40 West at Mile Marker 7 in North Carolina, near the Tennessee border. This rockslide is not impacting travel on I-40 West because this section of I-40 West was already closed due to a rockslide in Tennessee. The eastbound lanes of I-40 in this area remain open and are not affected by the most recent slide.
N.C. Department of Transportation engineers are on the scene assessing the extent of the rockslide. Updates will be sent out as soon as more information is known.
Westbound traffic traveling from North Carolina to Tennessee may continue to use the signed detour routes currently in place for the I-40 West closure.
Western North Carolina destinations such as Asheville, Cherokee, Waynesville, Maggie Valley and North Carolina sections of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are still accessible via I-40 West without taking a detour. Only interstate travel into Tennessee is affected by the closure of I-40 West near the state line.
The primary detour route for all vehicles is I-240 West in Asheville to I-26 West to I-81 South in Tennessee back to I-40. In addition to the primary signed detour route for all vehicles, non-commercial vehicles can also bypass the I-40 West closure by following U.S. 74 West (via Exit 27) or U.S. 19 South (via Exit 20/U.S. 276 South) to U.S. 441 North, which travels through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Tennessee and connects back with I-40.
NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for travel information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.
For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel or follow NCDOT on Twitter at www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter. Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2012
I-40 West near Tennessee Border Projected to Reopen Monday, Feb. 6; Closure Currently Not Impacting Travel to Western North Carolina Destinations
Traffic detoured to I-240 West to I-26 West to I-81 South in Tennessee, Back to I-40
RALEIGH — The Tennessee Department of Transportation has awarded an emergency contract to remove debris and unstable rock from Interstate 40 West near the North Carolina border. Currently, the westbound lanes of the interstate are closed at Exit 20 in North Carolina due to a rockslide in Tennessee.
Phillips and Jordan, Inc. of Knoxville, Tenn. was awarded the $59,350 contract. The contractor will begin work at the rockslide site Thursday afternoon. Weather permitting, TDOT anticipates reopening the interstate by Monday, Feb. 6.
The N.C. Department of Transportation reminds motorists that Western North Carolina destinations such as Asheville, Cherokee, Waynesville, Maggie Valley and North Carolina sections of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are still accessible via I-40 West without taking a detour. Only interstate travel into Tennessee is affected by the closure of I-40 West near the state line.
The primary detour route for all vehicles is I-240 West in Asheville to I-26 West to I-81 South in Tennessee back to I-40. In addition to the primary signed detour route for all vehicles, non-commercial vehicles can also bypass the I-40 West closure by following U.S. 74 West (via Exit 27) or U.S. 19 South (via Exit 20/U.S. 276 South) to U.S. 441 North, which travels through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Tennessee and connects back with I-40.
Motorists are advised to expect increased traffic in the Asheville area. Message boards with traffic and detour information have been activated.
Updated information is available through the Tennessee Department of Transportation website and on the TDOT SmartWay travel information map.
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Contact: Communications Office, (919) 707-2660
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Testimonial
In an effort to respond to the diverse economic development needs of North Carolina, then State Representative Martin Nesbitt introduced legislation creating the regional economic development partnerships. It was this extraordinary insight that allowed AdvantageWest to become one of the most innovative and nimble economic development programs in the state.
Gordon S. Myers
Founding Chair
AdvantageWest Board of Directors
Amanda Baranski
, Executive Assistant & Assistant Corporate Secretary
AdvantageWest
134 Wright Brothers Way
Fletcher, NC 28732
ph. 828-687-7234
fx. 828-687-7552
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