Tennessee and North Carolina Cooperative Efforts Will Open “The Dragon”
Released on Thu, Apr 08, 2010 - 1:19 pm under Road ClosuresTransportation
Workers rappel down the mountain to identify and remove loose rock.Crews constructed this rock berm to protech the nearby waters of the Chilhowee Lake.KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation will reopen an 11-mile stretch of U.S. 129/SR115 in Blount County known as “The Dragon” on Monday, April 12 at 8:00 a.m. The stretch of U.S. 129 from the Tabcat Bridge to the North Carolina state line will be open to traffic each day between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The section of U.S. 129 from just past the Foothills Parkway to the Tabcat Bridge will remain closed as crews work to remove a rockslide that closed the roadway in March.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will provide traffic enforcement and Graham County, North Carolina will provide emergency response along the open section of U.S. 129 during daylight hours. Motorists are advised that emergency response will be limited in the area. Law enforcement will have zero tolerance for traffic law violations and will diligently enforce the area. U.S. 129 will be closed to traffic at the North Carolina state line at 8:00 p.m. each night until 8:00 a.m. the next day. The roadway will remain closed to commercial traffic and large RVs.

TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely worked closely with North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Gene Conti and Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell to find a way to reopen the scenic stretch of U.S. 129 known as “The Dragon” which is popular with both motorists and motorcycle riders for its 318 turns in 11 miles.

Congressmen John Duncan of Tennessee and Heath Shuler of North Carolina as well as State Senators Doug Overbey of Tennessee and John Snow of North Carolina and State Representatives Joe McCord of Tennessee and Roger West of North Carolina also worked closely with TDOT, the NCDOT, and local businesses to find a compromise to reopen the dragon.

Meanwhile, work continues at the site of the rockslide which closed a portion of U.S. 129 on March 14. Crews with TDOT’s emergency contractor, Pacific Blasting & Demolition Ltd., continue to remove loose rocks from the slope above the roadway. They have also installed a silt fence and have built a berm to act as a barrier to protect the lake and prevent slide material from impacting the waters. The contractor plans to work seven days a week, ten hours a day to safely expedite the rockslide repairs.

The U.S. 129/SR115 rockslide project is estimated to be complete by July 31; however, TDOT is providing an incentive of $6,500 per day to complete the work early. If work is completed by July 1 the contractor will receive a full incentive of $195,000. If work is not complete by July 31 the contractor faces a disincentive of $6,500 per day until the work is complete.

TDOT has created a web page for information on the rockslide which can be found at www.tn.gov/tdot by clicking on the link “Rockslide Closures” at the top of the page. Motorists can find detour maps for all rockslides currently effecting travel in Tennessee. TDOT will also use the site to communicate updates on the project to stabilize and clear the U.S. 129 slide.

 

Awesome!

I'm curious how much law enforcement will be patrolling the hwy, but still glad it's going to open.

 

I would assume heavily

 

Everyone in my cabin backed out.



I asked some friends & they seemed interested, but if they don't come, I might drop out too.

 

you can haz sleeping bag?

 

wtf? You're supposed to be bringing me a tow hook.

 

I have one friend who's definitely coming. If the other people I've asked can't come, I'll either see if people here need a room or just back out & go on a bender in Austin.

If I have to bounce, I'll pay to ship it to you. Believe you me, I want to be there.

 

I didn't find out until tonight about the others not going. They had legit reasons, but it still sucks.

 

I'm sure there are plenty of people who need a place to sleep.

 

Ouch!

 

I got up to let the dog out this morning and saw a message on the iPhone from Fontana Village saying the Dragon was reopening. Let's just say the rest of the house is awake now.

Thanks to all of you who called your Senators and Congressmen. I suspect the pressure from above and from local businesses are to thank.

 

lol.... I don't care how it happened as long as it's safe to drive by Zdayz.

 

Is Greg still coming?

 

Nope. Some weak ******** about saving money to buy a house or something.

 

 

Greg has a bansai version of the ****** tree.

 

lame

 

 

That's ok a cooler Greg is coming to Zdayz lol

 

Guys, get signed up!!! We need the final head count. You can be stock and have a great time on a 3000+ ft runway!

(Cross Post From FI Thread)

The ZdayZ Airstrip Event IS ON!!!
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LOCATION: Hendersonville Airstrip (http://www.hendersonvilleairport.com/), approximately 80 miles from ZdayZ HQ (www.zdayz.com)



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FORMAT: Roll on races, continously for hours! Photoshoot to follow (clean cars please - car wash in nearby town). Bring your own food, drink and portable seating as you deem necessary. Caravan to ZdayZ afterwards.

SPONSORS encouraged to PM Sharif@Forged if you would like to support the event. Every bit will help to turn this into a grander spectacle!

PAYMENT REQUIRED TO GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT BUT PLEASE ALSO POST BELOW AFTER YOU REGISTER AND INDICATE YOUR SET UP TO HELP THE ORGANIZERS!

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SPECTATORS can attend for no charge, but parking will be limited so try to arrange to get a ride - car pooling would be best.

(Cross Post From FI Thread)