Rock Slide Closes I-40

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (from WATE TV web site) -- A massive rockslide that happened early Sunday has blocked a portion of Interstate 40 in both directions. The blockage occurred at mile marker 2.6 in North Carolina, near the Tennessee state line. Both east and westbound lanes are blocked. Authorities discovered the rock slide just after 2 a.m. after a driver notified them of being struck by falling rock.

The rubble from the slide is 50 feet high and stretches at least 100 feet long. Authorities say there were wrecks with minor injuries relating to this incident. The Tennessee Department of Transportation and North Carolina Department of Transportation have set up barriers to reroute traffic. Engineers on site are initially estimating several months to complete the cleanup and have traffic flow back to normal. Crews will have to work from the top of the rubble, down to the bottom.

It's leaf season and since you already are being forced to take a long detour, why not take the scenic route and enjoy the view? (see video below for details and map of routes)

If heading East into North Carolina, Cocke County suggests that folks use I-40 Exit 432 or 435 and take Highway 25/70 (scenic route) to North Carolina. Fall leaves are reaching peak and Newport businesses are waiting to welcome you.

Heading west from Asheville on I-40
1) Take Exit 27/US 74/Great Smoky Mountains Expressway.
2) Turn right onto US 441 North (toward Cherokee).
3) Follow US 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
4) In Gatlinburg, turn right onto US 321 and follow to I-40.
5) You'll rejoin I-40 near Newport, TN, just across the NC/TN state line.

[Click Here] to download a brochure containing information and maps relating to the rock slide.