LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

More Bad News About the Slide

As the NC Department of Transportation reviews the major landslide across Interstate 40 the stabilization of the mountain and clearing of the debis seems more major than first reported. It now seems likely that this section of I40, a few miles from the NC/TN border is likely to remain completely closed for three months. And that is assuming good weather.

Two methods are being considered by the DOT. A helicopter (or possibly a crane) would be used to deliver hand drilling equipment to the top which would then be used to bore holes for dynamite blasting. The other method involves building a secondary road to the top of the area to allow of bringing heavy equipment. The slide must be stabilized from the top down.



Aerial view of the slide from Asheville Citizen-Times



West to east view - photo from Asheville Citizen-Times

Direct view - photo from the Asheville Citizen-Times

Why is this rock slide deserving of so much attention? Because this section of I40 sees about 25,000 vehicles every day with about half of them being commercial trucks traveling to and from the southeast to the midwest. There is no other Interstate to use as an alternative.
---------------Why am I writing this? To encourage the readers who follow this blog not to change their plans to visit western NC during the next several months. All you need to do is to plan a little extra time to allow for the detours. You will be rewarded with more views of our lovely mountains and small towns. And you will still reach your destination of ski resorts, the Biltmore House, the waterfalls, and all the other wonderful attractions we offer.

21 comments:

Shelley said...

Was anyone hurt by this slide? Wow - looks so massive! One day I hope to visit NC!!

Appalachian Lady said...

We had a similar slide on I-77 on Fancy Gap Mountain (VA) years ago. My friend drove right into it in the morning fog, totally his car. The boulders though were able to be removed. This slide looks a lot more difficult to remove. Thanks for the link to the story and the photo.

Carol Murdock said...

I'm still considering coming to the bookfest in Sylva next month.
I'm looking at alternative routes besides having to go across 441 through the park.

George said...

Thanks for the update on the rock slide. The rock slide is having a negative impact on eastern Tennessee as well. One advantage to being retired is that we can take our time when we travel. We'll keep visiting North Carolina.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great photos, Carolyn. I knew that they said that some of the rocks were as big as a house... GADS--they were correct.

Mercy Me... IF the slide had have happened during the daytime, someone may have been killed. Scary!

Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Wendy said...

I'm glad it happened at 2:00 am instead of daylight hours; that could have been bad. Traffic is already heavier coming up my way now, thanks to the detour.

I've enjoyed your beach pics! I love going places in the off-season just to get away from crowds. We went to Canyonlands and Arches in early Nov. once and we almost had them to ourselves. The Grand Canyon was a little more crowded, but not as bad as it gets in the summer. It was awesome.

robin andrea said...

That's quite a slide. It reminds me of what life is like after an earthquake. The disruption can go on for months. The wildlife in that corridor will probably enjoy the temporary respite.

troutbirder said...

What a pain in the neck but still pretty spectacular. I assume no on was seriously injured???

Coffee with Cathy said...

Thanks for the local update, Carolyn. Now you've made me want to come your way just to prove that I can!

Janet said...

WOW! I haven't seen anything like this since HWY 1 was closed near Big Sur! Amazing photos - and, great information. Thank you for sharing it! We are eager to get to Highlands and Cashiers this fall! We LOVE that area of North Carolina!

Busy Bee Suz said...

WOW. this really is a mess.
SO scary that someone could have been terribly hurt. Thanks for the update.

Rudee said...

What a mess. It's really impressive, isn't it? I'll remember this when I drive through areas warning of rock slides.

KGMom said...

NC--I am just catching up (wonder why??)--any way--wow, what a rock slide.
I also zipped through some past posts--love love love the pics.
I love the golden girls too--new beds a big hit?

Cheryl said...

Gosh that is some landslide and on a much used road. Very good PR on your part.....I hope you are on commission!!!!

KB said...

Oh my. That's a huge slide. I frequently drive a narrow rocky canyon with the potential for slides like that... In fact, if that road were closed for 3 months, it would be terrible. I hope that fixing it is easier than expected.

D.K. Wall said...

Fortunately for tourism, we are about complete with Leaf Season, but the ski resort should open in the next couple of weeks (they tried to open last Monday after the snow, but the weather did not cooperate). They are our neighbor, so I really hope things go quicker on the road than they think.

Lola said...

Thankfully no one was killed or hurt very badly. Rock or mud slides are bad for everyone. I do hope they can get it fixed promptly.
Never tire of the mtns. Been there many times & wish I could return now.

JeanMac said...

Power of nature. Hope no one was caught in it.

1000 Goldens said...

Oh my gosh, that is amazing! I can only imagine the work involved in clearing that :(

Erica Houskeeper said...

Incredible. I wonder who first discovered the slide -- a driver on the interstate who just came upon it? It doesn't sound like anyone was hurt, thank goodness.

I always see signs for rock slides on the interstate, but I never give it a second thought. Now I will!

Leedra said...

I heard today the 3 months estimate was too optimistic. Reminds us of the one 12 years ago, we will learn to go around it.