CAMPBELL COUNTY, Tenn. — Work continued on Interstate 75 North in Campbell County two weeks after a rockslide that happened on April 18 near the Tennessee and Kentucky state line.
On May 4, the Tennessee Department of Transportation implemented rolling roadblocks starting at 11 a.m. so blasting operations could take place at the site of the rockslide near Rarity Mountain Road. The roadblocks were put in place at the Stinking Creek Road exit at MM 144 on I-75 North and at the Jellico exit at MM 160 on the southbound side, and by noon blasting work had wrapped up and the roadblocks were lifted.
Last Monday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation said crews were working to remove fallen material so it could reopen the second lane of traffic. TDOT said it is planning a future project to further stabilize the slope.
Crews removed loose material at the top of a slope where large chunks of a rock wall and trees fell at mile marker 156.6. Crews also removed some of the catchment fencing that was damaged in the rockslide.
Photos and video shared by TDOT show the rockfall catchment fence was able to catch large pieces of debris from tumbling onto the interstate.
TDOT is asking people to use caution when driving through the area and to expect delays from Newcomb to Elk Valley as crews work.