Progress on work to stabilize two separate rockslides along U.S. 64 and on other improvements along the U.S. 64 corridor continues despite days of weather delays. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has re-evaluated progress on work to clear and stabilize a section of Little Frog Mountain along U.S. 64 in Polk County near TVA Ocoee 2 Dam and now expects the roadway will reopen by April 16, weather permitting.

TDOT originally estimated a March 31 opening. However harsh weather on site and the unpredictable nature of the work has delayed the opening date.

"This has been a very wet and harsh winter," said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. "Crews cannot safely operate a crane in high winds or work along a slippery rock slope, so the contractor has not been able to accomplish as much work as anticipated."

Overall, the contractor was unable to work due to weather on at least 17 days since November. The National Weather Service reports Polk County received around 18 to 25 inches of precipitation between November 2009 and March 2010.

Further complicating efforts to reopen the roadways was the unpredictable nature of the work, explained TDOT Assistant Chief Engineer Steve Hall. "This project overall was difficult because of the unknowns encountered after each blast on the hillside. The fact that the TVA Dam is situated at the foot of the work area required very careful planning and execution of each and every blast and drastically impacted our approach to the project."

To date the contractor has removed 10,000 cubic yards of debris from the site, installed 3,600 linear feet of rock bolts and drilled nearly 2,000 holes for blasting. As part of the project, contract crews also constructed a rockfall protection fence made of recycled tires in front of the TVA Dam. The fence helped stop rock and boulders from impacting the 97-year-old Dam.

Remaining work includes final scaling and blasting along the slope, installation of 7,400 linear feet of rock bolts and removal of nearly 3,000 cubic yards of material. After the work on the slope is complete and all debris removed, the contractor will disassemble and haul away the 275-ton crawler crane and remove the rockfall protection fence. Workers will grade and pave the road and reset the outside barrier wall, then reopen the roadway to traffic.

While the road is closed TDOT maintenance crews are making improvements to areas along the U.S. 64 corridor by reinforcing shoulders and removing other potentially dangerous loose and hanging rock from the slopes. Removing rocks and material from the sides of some of the sharper curves also improved the safety and sight distance along the roadway. Among the areas being improved is the notorious "15-m.p.h. curve," an area which was extremely narrow and difficult to navigate. Crews are improving both the site distance around the curve and adding a wider shoulder to allow vehicles to more safely navigate the area.

Crews are also working to clear a secondary rockslide at mile marker 10.9 near Maddens Branch which occurred Jan. 19. Contract crews with Charles Blalock and Sons have removed loose debris and boulders from the mountainside and have stabilized the slope.

U.S. 64 is closed from State Route 30 to just east of the TVA Ocoee 2 Dam. 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 Monroe 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 Polk County then onto I-75 at Sweetwater in Monroe County. Motorists may also utilize a route through northern Georgia to travel around the rockslide area. From Copperhill/McCaysville at the Georgia State Line take Georgia Route 5 to U.S. Highway 76 to U.S. Highway 411 north to the Tennessee state line and on into Cleveland.

Meanwhile, U.S. 129/SR-115 is closed from the North Carolina state line to a rockslide two miles south of the Chilhowee Dam.

Due to the complexity and severity of the rockslide that occurred on U.S. 129/SR-115 on Sunday morning, law enforcement and emergency crews will have very limited emergency access to the Dragon.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is continuing to assess the situation and is in the process of completing a stabilization plan. Efforts to complete an emergency contract are in the final stages but there is not a timeline for repairs to begin at this time.

Motorists can take temporary detours around the rockslide area.

From North Carolina
Traffic travelling on U.S. 74 can take State Route 68 north to Ducktown. Continue on SR-68 through Polk and Monroe Counties to either U.S.411 in Madisonville or I-75 in Sweetwater.

(Non Commercial Traffic Only)
Motorists travelling on State Route 143 in North Carolina will continue to travel north onto State Route 165 to Tellico Plains to State Route 68 north to U.S. 411 (State Route 35) toward Maryville.

(Non Commercial Traffic Only)
Motorists can also use U.S. 441 to travel through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Cherokee, North Carolina. For road conditions on U.S. 441 through the Smokies, motorists can call (865) 436-1200.