I-40 Closed in Western North Carolina

[MG1968]

and will be for months. Early Sunday morning a massive rockslide occurred at the 2.5 mile marker. From the articles I've read, and from what I've heard from a co-worker, some of the rocks are as big as houses. It doesn't sound as if anybody was killed, but there were some injuries.

Cars won't be too troubled, and will be able to make decent time traveling US 25/70 out of Newport, TN over to Asheville. Trucks, however, are screwed. The best, legal, route is 81 North to 26 east, a detour that adds at least an hour in either direction.

DOT: Clearing rock slide from I-40 could take months :: WRAL.com

I drive a Knoxville - Charlotte round trip 5 nights a week. I can't begin to express how happy I am right now.

 

[SpecialKVolfan]

Wow. 10 years and 3 months after the last one that shut down the interstate near that stretch of the highway.

 

[volwindy]

thanks for letting us know about this, I will be going to Knoxville next weekend, good to know!

 

[volwindy]

hmy:

 

[Business]

Wow. I just made the trip last week. Went over this section once on Thursday, to, and Sunday, fro.

 

[the.one.the.only]

Was making the trip today. I could've been there my God

 

[the.one.the.only]

Also, driving up 441 over the mountain was hell today. Stop and go traffic from the top of the mountain all the way down. Same in Pigeon Forge too. Took me 6 hours for a 3 1/2 hour drive. Horrible

 

[pantone151]

Wow. I just made the trip last week. Went over this section once on Thursday, to, and Sunday, fro.

this made me lulz for some reason.

 

[MG1968]

I'm hoping that within a couple of weeks they can open one side and have two-way traffic through that section. It probably won't happen, but a couple of years ago when the eastbound side partially washed out just before the first tunnel they were able to do that.

 

[vader]

Wow. That's nuts. I'm glad no one was killed.

 

[IPorange]

This will happen again and again. The slope is unstable there. The cut is too steep for that kind of rock.

 

[GASOUTHERNVOL]

hes on his way

 

[Business]

This will happen again and again. The slope is unstable there. The cut is too steep for that kind of rock.

Yeah, I think I'll take 74 to 77 in Winston Salem and hit 81 and come back down through Johnson City from now on.

 

[MG1968]

my round trip that is normally 420 to 430 miles is now about 550 miles. Oh well, at least I'll be getting paid extra for the additional seat time.

 

[orange parmejohn]

i take that route all the time to visit family in S PBurg. i have no idea how long the alternate route is going to take. traveling with a 2 year old will make every extra mile feel like 100.

 

[MG1968]

depending on where you're at in WNC, you could either take 25/70 or go down through Sylva and the Nantahala National Forest and come out in Cleveland, TN.

 

[Plano Vol]

Yeah, I think I'll take 74 to 77 in Winston Salem and hit 81 and come back down through Johnson City from now on.

Just watch out for the Virginia State police...they have a HQ in Wytheville and make life miserable for everyone from Fancy Gap to Bristol.

 

[rpvol]

Just watch out for the Virginia State police...they have a HQ in Wytheville and make life miserable for everyone from Fancy Gap to Bristol.

this is true. i found out the hard way about 2 weeks ago on a business trip to greensboro. :hmm:

 

[allvol123]

Has anyone done the 25/70 since this slide? Is it a decent trip or is it better to do the Johnson City thing?

 

[timmy]

Has anyone done the 25/70 since this slide? Is it a decent trip or is it better to do the Johnson City thing?

25/70 is an easy drive, and quite scenic. Should be quicker than going to Johnson City.

You can also get to Knoxville without getting on the interstate if you want to really sight see.

 

[allvol123]

25/70 is an easy drive, and quite scenic. Should be quicker than going to Johnson City.

You can also get to Knoxville without getting on the interstate if you want to really sight see.

Yea it is a good drive under normal conditions. Just wondering how badly the rock slide has affected the time on that route.

Got friends coming up from SC for the game.

 

[timmy]

Yea it is a good drive under normal conditions. Just wondering how badly the rock slide has affected the time on that route.

Got friends coming up from SC for the game.

Just get off of 25/70 before you get into Newport. Traffic will be a nightmare with all of the sync'd traffic lights in downtown. Do you know anything about Newport/Cocke County roads? If you know the general area I can tell you how to get to the interstate without much traffic.

 

[allvol123]

Just get off of 25/70 before you get into Newport. Traffic will be a nightmare with all of the sync'd traffic lights in downtown. Do you know anything about Newport/Cocke County roads? If you know the general area I can tell you how to get to the interstate without much traffic.

Yea I know Newport fairly well. Forget the name of the road but I know you can take the one that goes by the Conagra warehouse that will bring you back to 40 closer to the NC end instead of going through town.

 

[timmy]

The red is 25/70, the blue is Rt. 73, or Edwina Road. Turn here and it will take you to I-40. There is a 24hr gas station and restaurant at that exit also.

If you are on 25/70 heading into Newport, the speed limit will drop to 30 when you get into the city limits. The road you will need to take is at the bottom of the hill on the left. It is just before you cross the bridge to get into downtown.

 

[timmy]

Yea I know Newport fairly well. Forget the name of the road but I know you can take the one that goes by the Conagra warehouse that will bring you back to 40 closer to the NC end instead of going through town.

lol, yeah, that's it.