U.S. 64 in Polk County is closed at mile marker 17.6 due to a major rockslide Tuesday near the Ocoee 2 Dam.
A portion of the mountainside slid into the roadway at approximately 6 a.m. Another slide occurred at approximately 1 p.m. further complicating removal efforts.
Fortunately, TDOT Geotechnical employees on site were able to alert personnel to the possibility of another slide and all people were evacuated before the second slide occurred at 1 p.m.
TDOT maintenance forces are on the scene removing as many rocks and materials as possible with their equipment.
Meanwhile, the department is working to secure an emergency contract to remove the larger rocks. TDOT Geotechnical personnel are also on site to determine the stability of slopes in the area and the potential for further slides. The roadway will remain closed until further notice, but could be closed for more than a week.
Motorists traveling to the area from Chattanooga or Cleveland should take I-75 North to Exit 60 (SR-68, Sweetwater) and follow SR-68 South through McMinn County and into Ducktown in Polk County. Those traveling from North Carolina are advised to take US-74 to SR-68 North at Ducktown through McMinn County then onto I-75 at Sweetwater in Monroe County.
For more information on this or any other TDOT road construction project or for weather-related road closure information, visit the TDOT website's dynamic TDOT SmartWay Information System at http://www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone to access valuable information about travel conditions anytime, or log on to www.TN511.com. TDOT is also on Twitter. For up to date traffic information for the Region Two area follow Chattanooga511 on Twitter or follow TN511 for statewide updates.