FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 8, 2012) – Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 south of the Kentucky border as crews work to stabilize a rock slope near a section of embankment that collapsed on March 8.
In addition, northbound I-75 traffic is reduced to one lane for approximately three miles in the area of the collapse, between mile markers 141 and 144. The area is between Newcomb and Caryville, Tenn.
The closures will be required until at least Thursday, according to TDOT. Motorists should be prepared for long delays and travel through the area with extreme caution.
New cracks developed at the location of the March 8 slide. Barrier walls will be set up with the goal of reopening one southbound lane to traffic and maintaining one open northbound lane. TDOT recommends the following alternate routes and detours:
Detour route for I-75 South:
Take Exit 160 in Jellico, Tenn., follow U.S. 25W to LaFollette and back onto I-75 South at Exit 134 in Caryville.
Wide load detour route for I-75 South:
Take Exit 160 in Jellico, turn right and follow SR 297 West to SR 63 and back onto I-75 South at Exit 141.
Detour route for I-40 destinations east of Dandridge, Tenn.:
Take Exit 29 at Corbin, Ky., follow U.S. 25E to Morristown, Tenn., take I-81 South to its junction with I-40. However, U.S. 25E is reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction at the Kentucky-Tennessee border because of pavement repairs inside the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will use portable message boards and dynamic overhead signs to advise motorists of possible delays.
Tennessee travel and construction information can be accessed at http://www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway.
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