The N.C. DOT says the stretch of I-40 closed by a rockslide in Oct. 2009 will be reopened by late April if the weather permits.
In the process of evaluating and repairing the mountainside, DOT officials say they’ve discovered five other sites that need to be stabilized as well. The work shouldn’t impact the reopening of I-40.
Four of the five additional sites to be stabilized are just west of the area where the October rockslide occurred, near the Tennessee border. The fifth site is a mile and a half east of the rockslide site. All five sites are within the stretch of I-40 that is now closed, so that the initial safety improvements will not impact motorists.
NCDOT estimates that it will reopen I-40 by April when work at the October rockslide site should be completed. About one mile of the westbound lane closest to the mountain will be closed until this summer to allow crews to complete the work – including the installation of rock bolts and anchor mesh - at the five additional sites.
The additional sites are:
• Site 1: Located at mile marker 0.05, this area is approximately 200 feet long. This area has shed medium-sized boulders in the past.
• Site 2: Located at mile marker 0.25, this area is approximately 500 feet long and has two sections of rock that are at risk of slipping.
• Site 3: Located at mile marker 1.4, this area is approximately 500 feet long, with very larger boulders about 300-400 feet above the road.
• Site 4: Located at mile marker 2.3, this area is adjacent to the site of the October rockslide. Approximately 900 feet long, it has large boulders 300-400 feet above the road.
• Site 5: Approximately 600 feet long, this area has large boulders less than 100 feet from the roadway that need to be bolted down for long-term stability.
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