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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Instability around rockslide forces closing on part of 'The Dragon'

Off the Wire
TALASSEE (WATE) - Instability around a rockslide has forced crews to close part of Highway 129, known as "The Dragon" for its curviness and popularity with motorcycle riders.
The slide happened sometime early Sunday morning. It's two miles south of Chilhowee Dam near the intersection with the Foothills Parkway.
The southbound and northbound lanes of Highway 129 are both closed.
Crews were able to open the southbound lane for a time Sunday, but more rocks fell overnight so the state Department of Transportation decided to close both lanes again.
Engineers with TDOT are developing a plan to stabilize the rock face by the roadway.
Signs are posted to alert drivers about the rockslide, but the closest one is only a half mile from the scene.
Crews are directing drivers away from the area.
Drivers can use U.S. 441 to travel through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Cherokee, North Carolina. For road closures on U.S. 441 through the Smokies, call (865)-436-1200.
Motorcyclist Justin Ratliff said he knew about the rockslide, but figured he give it a go on his bike anyway.
"I saw it on the news earlier. I was hoping they would let a bike pass by, but evidently it's still falling so I'm going to have to go the back way," Ratliff said.
A posting on the TDOT Web site estimates the slide may not be cleared until Saturday, but officials said they haven't established an exact timeline.
The 11-mile stretch of road in Blount County earned the nickname the Dragon because it's said to have 318 curves and resemble a dragon's tail.
The road continues to Swain County, North Carolina.
A rockslide last fall closed part of Interstate 40 in North Carolina near the Tennessee state line. NCDOT estimates the interstate will re-open in late April.
Some drivers were using Highway 129 Monday to get around the I-40 rockslide but found their alternate route blocked as well.
Benjamin Lawrence and his wife were traveling to Asheville from Cleveland. A friend suggested he take Highway 129 straight into Asheville.
Instead, the Lawrences learned their six hour trip was extended to eight hours.
"It's very frustrating. Had I known, which you don't know, when something like this happens," Lawrence said.
You can get updated information about the closure online at TDOT's Smartway Information System map or by following TDOT on Twitter at TN511.

original article