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UPDATE: I-75 Rockslide closure contract awarded by TDOT

CARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The State of Tennessee has already awarded a contract to clean up that rock slide that’s going to keep interstate 75 near the Kentucky line closed for weeks.

Mark Nagi with the Tennessee Department of Transportation says an emergency contract has been award to Charles Blalock and Sons Construction. Final cost has not yet been determined.

The slide occurred last Friday and initially closed the north bound lanes of I-75 near mile marker 142 in Campbell County. When large rocks began sliding down the hillside the south bound lanes were also closed.

Nagi notes that in 2012 a similar rock fall closed this same stretch of interstate for several weeks.

“Campbell County is no stranger to rock slides. We also get them on Alcoa Highway, the Blount and Sevier County area, I-40 in Cocke County. It’s part of life in East Tennessee.”

Vehicles traveling north on I-75 will detour at exit 134 at Jellico. South bound travelers will leave the interstate just over the Tennessee State line. Driver’s should expect delays and lengthy detours.

Nagi says the south bound lanes should reopen within 14 days. The northbound lanes likely won’t be completely restored until sometime in April.