The Conservative Cave

The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: Chris on October 27, 2009, 01:51:57 PM

Title: You shall not pass...
Post by: Chris on October 27, 2009, 01:51:57 PM
Quote
Massive rockslide blocks I-40 at NC/TN border

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (WATE) -- A massive rockslide that happened early Sunday has blocked a portion of Interstate 40 in both directions.

The rubble from the slide is 50 feet high and stretches at least 100 feet long. Authorities say there were wrecks with minor injuries relating to this incident.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation and North Carolina Department of Transportation have set up barriers to reroute traffic. Drivers traveling west to Tennessee should take I-40 West to I-240 West in Asheville, then to I-26 West. Follow I-26 West from Asheville to I-81 South in Tennessee, back to I-40. Eastbound motorists will follow the reverse directions.

Drivers may also take Highway 25-70 from Newport into North Carolina.

Engineers on site are initially estimating several months to complete the cleanup and have traffic flow back to normal. Crews will have to work from the top of the rubble, down to the bottom.

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=11379193
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: jinxmchue on October 27, 2009, 02:23:15 PM
Bloody hell!

[youtube=425,350]wnorTkE8o3M[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]U41hG9YeHFQ[/youtube]

We are not masters of this planet.
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: Chris on October 27, 2009, 02:31:04 PM
I'll be going to NC in a few months to visit some family.  I priced some plane tickets, but its still cheaper to drive.

Google says taking 81N over 40E takes the same amount of time.  I'll have to try it -- taking the same drive across 40E over and over again does get boring and predictable.
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: Alpha Mare on October 27, 2009, 02:33:05 PM
I ran into that several years ago driving through there...twice.
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: Chris on October 27, 2009, 02:36:57 PM
I ran into that several years ago driving through there...twice.

It seems to happen on a regular basis.  I've seen the plastic nets they hang over the side of the mountain, but I'm not sure what purpose they serve.
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: Alpha Mare on October 27, 2009, 02:45:31 PM
It seems to happen on a regular basis.  I've seen the plastic nets they hang over the side of the mountain, but I'm not sure what purpose they serve.

They work for smaller rocks, but not the big'uns.  I love the drive up,and the tunnels, but the big rigs scare the crap outa me coming down.
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: debk on October 27, 2009, 11:14:34 PM
This happened several years ago during the summer.

We were going to Asheville for July 4th and took the southern route on the Dragon's Tail....DO NOT DO THAT!!!

After an hour and a half, with me almost hanging my little green face out the window, we finally hit the semi straight road...95 MILES left to go to Asheville!!!!

We came back through the northern route and ended up on 81....only took about 2.5 hours. Mostly two lane roads, but at least it wasn't doubling back and forth on cliff sides...
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: Chris on October 27, 2009, 11:20:07 PM
This happened several years ago during the summer.

We were going to Asheville for July 4th and took the southern route on the Dragon's Tail....DO NOT DO THAT!!!

After an hour and a half, with me almost hanging my little green face out the window, we finally hit the semi straight road...95 MILES left to go to Asheville!!!!

We came back through the northern route and ended up on 81....only took about 2.5 hours. Mostly two lane roads, but at least it wasn't doubling back and forth on cliff sides...

I stay off the state and rural roads for the most part.  A Toyota Camry or Buick Century is not exactly a "drivers car", but 40E can be fun if you're doing about 90mph.  My Datsun needs some work before I take it down US129.

Wait until I get an MGB...
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: Alpha Mare on October 28, 2009, 06:56:32 AM
Watch out for trucks!  Way bigger problem than bikes.

There are 318 curves in 11 miles.
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: JohnnyReb on October 28, 2009, 08:12:01 AM
First I heard of this was on the radio yesterday. Gotta take the son to a Boy Scout Order of the Arrow thing south of Asheville this weekend but it won't be a problem for me.

The "Dragon's Tail"... :rotf:...X-wife screamed the whole way.... :rotf:
Title: Re: You shall not pass...
Post by: jinxmchue on October 28, 2009, 10:13:14 AM
I'll be going to NC in a few months to visit some family.  I priced some plane tickets, but its still cheaper to drive.

Google says taking 81N over 40E takes the same amount of time.  I'll have to try it -- taking the same drive across 40E over and over again does get boring and predictable.

Google lies.  So does Mapquest.  I hate other people trying to give me directions, much less some stupid computer.  I sometimes make a wrong turn here and there, but it's never anything major.