News text from the Polk County News

“Yes, it’s safe to say that we’ll meet the April 16 deadline,” said TDOT spokesperson Jennifer Flynn. She added, “We are doing whatever it takes to make that happen.”

TDOT is also working diligently to finish the other projects on Hwy. 64. The second slide is finished with the exception of installing a permanent rockfall protection fence. Maintenance paved the area near the second slide last week.

A meeting was held Monday to determine the next move on completing the improvements to the 15-mph curve.

The emergency contractor working to stabilize and repair damage from the November 10, 2009 rockslide continues to work toward finishing by April 16. Crews are drilling 15’ to 40’ deep holes throughout the face of the rock slope as they prepare to install 2” diameter threaded anchor bolts that will help prevent future slides from occurring. They are maintaining daytime and night time operations to maximize productivity and complete the rock bolting, averaging between 500’ and 600’ of drilling in a given 24 hour period.

Other crews continue scaling the eastern side of the slope’s main slide area to remove any remaining loose rock or debris that could present a hazard for roadway users below. Additionally, crews are removing rockfall debris from the roadway surface, river, river bank, and boat ramp with repairs to the boat ramp scheduled to begin later today. A separate crew began disassembling the 100’ long rockfall fence that was erected above the TVA dam.

With blasting complete, construction crews will continue to work 24-hour schedules to clear the site of debris and perform rock bolting operations. This schedule is expected to continue until the work is complete and the road reopened to traffic.

Comments are closed.