NEWPORT, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee transportation spokeswoman said it isn't yet clear how long the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 will remain closed near the North Carolina state line. Mud and rocks tumbled onto the highway early Tuesday in Cocke County.
Tennessee Department of Transportation spokeswoman B.J. Doughty said another house-sized boulder was in a precarious position above the highway and TDOT geotechnical personnel were checking how stable the situation was.
Doughty said the department was preparing to let an emergency contract to remove the debris and was working with North Carolina authorities on a detour. Westbound traffic was initially being routed onto Interstates 26 and 81 -- a long detour through the Tri-Cities.
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