The Dragon is now completely Closed

[392cobra]

'The Dragon' closed from Chilhowee Dam to N.C. state line for rockslide

Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:44 AM EDT
(WATE) - Officials extended the closure of Highway 129, known as "The Dragon," from a rockslide two miles south of Chilhowee Dam to the North Carolina state line due to concerns over the area's stability.

The state Department of Transportation (TDOT) said law enforcement and emergency crews will have very limited emergency access to the Dragon.

The rockslide happened Sunday morning.

TDOT is completing a stabilization plan. Officials said efforts to complete an emergency contract are in the final stages. There's no timeline yet for repairs to begin.

Drivers can take temporary detours around the rockslide area.

From Tennessee: Drivers can use U.S. 441 to travel through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Cherokee, North Carolina. For road conditions in the park, call (865)-436-1200.

This detour is for non-commercial traffic only.

From North Carolina: Drivers traveling on U.S. 74 can take State Route 68 north to Ducktown. Continue on SR-68 through Polk and Monroe Counties to either U.S.411 in Madisonville or I-75 in Sweetwater.

Non-commercial traffic detour from North Carolina: Drivers traveling on State Route 143 will continue to travel north onto State Route 165 to Tellico Plains to State Route 68 north to U.S. 411 (State Route 35) toward Maryville.

[dcdoug]

Wow, that stinks. Hopefully they get it open soon. One of the best stretches of road in the country.