The gap is closed

[eddie98]

From ADV rider.
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Hwy 129 in Tennessee to the North Carolina State Line is closed. Last Sunday a rock slide on the TN side on Chilhowee lake closed the road from just south of Foothills Parkway. However The Dragon, the 11 miles of twisties was still open from the North Carolina side to the location of the rock slide. According to sources the governor of Tennessee ordered the road closed from the State Line. We are asking everyone how can or will to send a polite message to the governor to reopen the road.
Governor's Office
Tennessee State Capital
Nashville, TN 37743-0001

[TroyBoy30]

http://www.georgiasportbike.com/showthread.php?687-US129-blocked-just-north-of-Foothills-Parkway/page2

[petrel800]

Hey does anybody know if US129 is closed at Deals gap?

[PlayfulGod]

Hey does anybody know if US129 is closed at Deals gap?

its officially closed at the state line thanks to the TN governor.

[TroyBoy30]

Tail of the Dragon (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tail-of-the-Dragon/189631058066?ref=nf) Just received a clarrification for the TNDOT Public Information Officer regarding the September 1 date. The date is an ESTIMATED date. The contract for clearing the slide will be awarded on Monday (3/29), at that time a more accurate opening date will be posted. TNdot DOES SAY it should take several months to clear ...

[Phatmax]

Tail of the Dragon (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tail-of-the-Dragon/189631058066?ref=nf) Just received a clarrification for the TNDOT Public Information Officer regarding the September 1 date. The date is an ESTIMATED date. The contract for clearing the slide will be awarded on Monday (3/29), at that time a more accurate opening date will be posted. TNdot DOES SAY it should take several months to clear ...

Good god.. Anyone have pictures of this mess?

[Gamecock]

See post #50
http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102079&page=3&highlight=Gap

[wbeck257]

Good god.. Anyone have pictures of this mess?

The road is clear now.
However -- the rest of the mountain is about to come down:

http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/system/files/Aerials%20and%20Ground%20Level.pdf

[TroyBoy30]

Tail of the Dragon (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tail-of-the-Dragon/189631058066?ref=nf) TDOT finally took off the Sept 1 date from their road construction page, replacing with a more reasonable completeion date of July 31. Again... we will have a better idea on Monday when the contract is awarded.

[Gypsyangel]

Yep, I got that update too. It's still going to hurt their riding season.

[jtryz]

http://www.dealsgap.com/

read the info below.

well, my gap trip is still on, worst that can happen is we ride everything else. its not goin anywhere :)

http://gosmoky.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/rockslide-on-i-40.jpg
this one puts it in perspective

[TroyBoy30]

Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357?ref=mf) Pacific Blasting Demolition Ltd. submitted the low bid of $1.99 million. Crews with Pacific Blasting are beginning to mobilize equipment and personnel and will begin work on the complex slide removal and stabilization project no later than April 5, 2010. Phillips and Jordan, Inc. was the only other pre-qualified contractor and submitted a bid of $2.65 million.


Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357?ref=mf) The rockslide project on U.S. 129/SR-115 is estimated to be completed by July 31, 2010. However, TDOT is providing an incentive of $6,500 per day for the contractor to complete work and reopen the roadway before July 31, 2010. If the project is totally complete by July 1, 2010 the contractor will receive the full inc...entive of $195,000. Failure to complete the project and reopen the roadway by July 31 will result in a disincentive of $6,500 per day until work is completed.

[ramm]

Wonder what the traffic is going to be like once they re-open it.

[TroyBoy30]

Tail of the Dragon (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tail-of-the-Dragon/189631058066?ref=nf) We've posted an area Two Lane Twisties map and details of other roads to explore while the Dragon is closed. Great twisties, less traffic, better speed limits, fewer cops..... hmmm... sounds good to me.

http://tailofthedragon.com/RockSlide/Rockslide2010.html


http://tailofthedragon.com/maps/OtherRoadsNew.pdf

[jtryz]

http://www.openus129.com/?p=90


this probably will do little but may get more attention.

[TroyBoy30]

Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357?ref=mf) Ok folks, getting the issues at the Gap worked out. TN has almost finished the law enforcement plan, and Graham county just sent the EMS letter off to our state reps to get to TN. Hopefully we will have the gap opened up early next week.

[chris]

Great news!

[Gamecock]

The ride getting there is better than the actually ride itself.

[chris]

The ride getting there is better than the actually ride itself.

Really? I actually thought there was too much highway, but maybe I didn't know the back road secrets...

[TroyBoy30]

yea much better roads in the area but I would like to do it at least once

[The Lazy Destroyer]

Wonder what the traffic is going to be like once they re-open it.

Probably something like this:

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://photos.travellerspoint.com/152453/DSC05271.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFrrR5nVrVJVEBMjhKu2LY-swgWZg

Or this:

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://www.johnandclaire.com/photos/2007F1GP/DSCN6503.JPG&usg=AFQjCNEQhTbiFvF0nOkHa0dnp_1bluoB4w

And this:

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://image.sportrider.com/f/8969071%2Bw750%2Bst0/146_0603_07_z%2Btraction_control%2Bstarting_grid.j pg&usg=AFQjCNG-PH1uWGivmkjocssnOZGAW9cfyw

With a little of this at the Crossroads store:

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/05/07/motogp/image/fortuna_umbrella_girl.jpg

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Lithuania-MotoGP-Race-Girls-18.JPG&usg=AFQjCNGzkyNzqn9iMi_EnH6R_aHAr0ZxGg

:D :D :D :D :D

[ramm]

Probably something like this:

With a little of this at the Crossroads store:

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/05/07/motogp/image/fortuna_umbrella_girl.jpg

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Lithuania-MotoGP-Race-Girls-18.JPG&usg=AFQjCNGzkyNzqn9iMi_EnH6R_aHAr0ZxGg

:D :D :D :D :D

I'm sorry, what were we talking about again? :drool:

[jtryz]

illb ethere in 2 weeks, will let u know

[TroyBoy30]

Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357?ref=mf) The offical word from TNDOT We have been in communication with Graham County as a follow up to these discussions and we will be developing an agreement regarding the EMS coverage that will allow us to move forward. Expect the route to be open on Monday at 8:00 am.


Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357?ref=mf) Also TN will be building a gate so the road will only be open 8 am too 8 pm until one lane is reopened at the slide

[TroyBoy30]

Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357) Ok gang schedual is set, lawers have ok'd all the paperwork Monday at 8 am "The Dragon" will be if full swing from 8 am until 8 pm everyday.

[bluerider]

Great news, Thanks TB!

[jkhonea]

You can't be serious about this gate thing. A friend is up there driving it this weekend in his M3. Already sent pics from on it today.

[bluerider]

So whats up?

[TroyBoy30]

no they are not kidding with the gate

Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357) Ok just checked the state line, hours of operation signs are up and TDOT confirmed they are pulling out at 6am so the road can be opened at 8 am on monday

[jkhonea]

Wow, that's messed up. Can't think of any time I've ever heard this done to a road.

[wallypiper]

Not here anyway. They do it to lots of roads out west, rather than try to keep them clear when the snow starts. But if the road is open at all, why only limited hours. I mean, once it's passable from both ends, what's the point?

[TroyBoy30]

thats the problem. it's not accessible from both ends!

Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357) 20 min to go yahhhhhhh. Folks waiting at the store to go. State line is clear of all TDOT trailers and gear.



http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs431.ash1/23822_382606521357_161167626357_3747395_1815251_n. jpg

Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tapoco-NC/Deals-Gap-Motorcycle-Resort/161167626357) The Dragon is open



http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs371.snc3/23822_382614206357_161167626357_3747572_303122_n.j pg

[wbeck257]

That is one of the dumbest things I've ever seen...

[TroyBoy30]

why? another state is providing ems and police enforcement and simply want to control the hours. makes sense to me

[wbeck257]

Because roads are meant to get to B from A.

[ramm]

Cool thing about one side being closed and one being open is no 18-wheelers screwing up the road. :up:

[TroyBoy30]

agreed! and you get to run it twice!

[ramm]

agreed! and you get to run it twice!

Yep, I feel a road trip coming up!

[TroyBoy30]

we will be up there soon for Kevins mem ride

[Frank Law]

i think its great that a local business and residents were able to get this accomplished. it shows that not all govt employees are idiots. by opening the road, A LOT of revenue gets generated. so regardless of the supposed disdain for the activities that a few motorcyclists participate in up there, clearly the govt likes the rest of them riding there and wants them to come spend their money but just wants them to be safe.

it could be better with less traffic, but clearly the cops also know that anyone on it is there for the fun so its easier to pick out targets. the only unknown is what the authorities are going to do about a turn around area.

it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[TLR67]

And it will be real interesting to see what happens when there is a bad accident.....

[Frank Law]

And it will be real interesting to see what happens when there is a bad accident.....

My guess is the EMS will both come in and leave on the south end of the road:lol:

[ramm]

My guess is the EMS will both come in and leave on the south end of the road:lol:

Good guess, wonder what gave you that idea! :lol:

[TroyBoy30]

TDOT's Live Cam Rockslide Look


http://earthcam.com/clients/tennessseedot/

[jtryz]

but its rideable

[dmiller385]

Well, I'll be up there tomorrow for a short time - I will give you guys a report when I get back.

[jtryz]

ride report will say

Cops on deals gap, dont speed.

[TroyBoy30]

but its rideable

yea been rideable for weeks and you get to do it twice since you have to turn around!

[TroyBoy30]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs140.snc4/37331_410616891357_161167626357_4404868_1556017_n. jpg

ahead of sched even

[jtryz]

:)

[svmtbman]

I was up there Saturday and the road is open again.

[huskyduck]

Bummer !!!
I knew the fun wouldn't last.
With it being a "dead end" road, there were way less than 1/2 the normal traffic, NO 18 wheelers, and only 2 instead of the normal 6-8 LEOs.
I had more fun up there since it's "closing" than I've had in years.
We'd find out where the LEO's were parked,(usually one near each end of the 11 mile streach) then play hard in between them, turning around before we would reach their parking points, over n over n over. It was a blast.

[svmtbman]

It was the worst ride I've ever had up there due to the traffic. There were so many cruisers it was like a parade at bike week. There were a couple of LEO on bikes as well as a deputy and state trooper. I also realized they now sell beer at the CROT and there were a bunch of Harley guys drinking up and then jumping back on the bike for a ride. IDIOTS!! Luckily this was a minor stop in a 7 hour loop from Helen so we got plenty of good riding in that day.

[BlueLghtning]

Bummer !!!
I knew the fun wouldn't last.
With it being a "dead end" road, there were way less than 1/2 the normal traffic, NO 18 wheelers, and only 2 instead of the normal 6-8 LEOs.
I had more fun up there since it's "closing" than I've had in years.
We'd find out where the LEO's were parked,(usually one near each end of the 11 mile streach) then play hard in between them, turning around before we would reach their parking points, over n over n over. It was a blast.

Yeah, it was quite fun when Sarah and I visited there earlier in the year. Now the local traffic will be coming back through.

[jtryz]

last time we went, about 2 weeks ago, Monday! there were so many cruisersa it killed me.....