FRANKLIN –U.S. 64 between Buck Creek Road and Brush Creek Road will remain closed for more than two weeks while a contractor repairs 80 feet of embankment damaged during heavy storms on Tuesday.
NCDOT engineers met Wednesday morning in the Cullasaja Gorge with officials from GeoStabilization Inc, which will design and construct repairs. The initial design involves installing micro-piles, building a wall atop the piles and finishing with shoulder construction.
NCDOT anticipates completing the engineering plans late this week, then having crews begin the two-week construction project next Monday. The project cost will be determined after plans are approved. Barring weather or unforeseen delays, the Cullasaja Gorge should reopen by the end of the month.
Transportation officials have established a detour along Buck Creek Road for passenger vehicles. No trucks are allowed on the detour.
During the closure, NCDOT maintenance crews will also replace several old drainage pipes
with new and larger pipes, clear ditches, trim overhanging limbs, long-arm mow overgrown vegetation, and perform other operations that cannot be conducted with live traffic.
NCDOT officials urge drivers to plan ahead, remain alert and schedule extra time into travel plans during this construction.