The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:00 PM
Highway SR-68 Likely Closed Between Spring City, Crossville Through May
The Rhea County Sheriff's Department initially announced April 24 that SR-68 would be closed to one lane due, but Rhea County 911 later that day said the roadway was completely shut down after the crack deteriorated.
On May 9, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn said the road remains closed as a contractor, GSI LLC, works on "soil nailing operations" to increase stability in the slope below the road. Flynn said TDOT expects work will continue through the end of May, and the road may re-open around then.
The sheriff's department said the original crack appeared on the roadway going from Spring City to Crossville. The crack was due to heavy rain in the days leading up to the closure.
Officials said TDOT was on the scene working to fix the problem April 24. Pictures posted to social media showed a large crack spanning down the asphalt through one lane, while traffic cones sectioned off the lane for travel. However, later in the day, Rhea County 911 said both east and westbound lanes would be closed, though officials could not say for how long.
The area of the slide took place approximately three miles north of US 27 in Spring City.
