Interstate 40 section that’s been closed by rock slide for six months is now open

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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This is hugely important. From WLOS:

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina officials say a stretch of Interstate 40 in western North Carolina that has been closed for six months because of a rockslide will reopen with some traffic limitations.

Officials said both eastbound lanes will be open and one westbound lane would reopen at 6 p.m. Sunday. One westbound lane will remain closed for three miles while workers continue putting in rock bolts and anchor mesh to stabilize the mountainside.

Truck traffic will be restricted to loads less than 12 feet wide in the westbound lane.

The stretch near the Tennessee state line has been closed in both directions since the rockslide Oct. 25.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Sunday that cleanup and stabilization work has cost almost $13 million.