May 25, 2013
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- All lanes are open on Interstate 40 in the North Carolina mountains toward Tennessee after a rock slide over the weekend got cleaned up.
A state Department of Transportation spokeswoman confirmed Monday the two westbound lanes of I-40 in Haywood County are open after workers moved about three dump-truck loads worth of rocks that fell from a slope onto the road's shoulder.
Traffic was narrowed to one lane near mile marker 7 so the debris that fell Friday night could be removed safely. The second lane re-opened Saturday evening.
NC DOT is telling motorists they may see above-average traffic congestion during the holidays, especially in areas near Asheville, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Fayetteville and Raleigh from midday until the early evening.
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Officials with the North Carolina Department of Transportation say a westbound lane of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee line may remain closed until next month.
A rock slide shut down the busy road Friday night as about three dump-truck loads worth of rocks fell from a slope onto the shoulder of Interstate 40 near mile marker 7 in Waynesville.
Workers were able to quickly remove the ruble from one lane, but authorities said the second westbound lane could remain closed until Jan. 7.
Transportation officials say holiday travelers headed west should expect delays and they approach the site of the slide.
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