BAT CAVE – Heavy rains have created an unstable situation at the landslide on N.C. 9 near Bat Cave requiring the road to be closed through the weekend.
Driving through the area is once again unsafe.
“All of the recent rain has made the slope is unstable,” Division 14 Resident Engineer Nathan Tanner said. “There is an increased possibility of mud or rocks rolling from the mountain onto the road.”Crews will shift their efforts from debris removal to controlling erosion and stabilizing the slope — the exposed face of the mountain — over the weekend.
The weather will play a significant role in determining when the area can be declared safe for local traffic.
The detour of approximately 50 miles takes drives north on N.C. 9 to Interstate 40 west, to U.S. 74A east, and back to N.C. 9. This detour had been utilized from the date of the slide, June 5, until last Friday when the road re-opened to traffic every two hours.
Transportation officials remind drivers to obey all posted signs, follow the instructions of flaggers and remain alert at all times.
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