Eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 will be closed for “at least a week” after a rock slide just north of Nashville late Saturday night.
The slide occurred at mile marker 42 around 10 p.m. Saturday and continued to worsen Sunday morning as responders with the Tennessee Department of Transportation surveyed the situation.
The closure will have a huge impact on commutes into Nashville. No injuries were reported.
PHOTOS: Rockslide closes I-24 in White’s Creek
According to officials on the scene Sunday morning, a large area at the top of the cliff visibly shifted and the area was determined to be unstable. Crews were concerned the dirt and rocks that had already fallen were helping hold the upper part in place.
Work has begun at the site to stabilize the slide and remove the debris.
The road is closed between Old Hickory Boulevard and Briley Parkway. According to TDOT officials, traffic is being diverted to I-65 via Old Hickory Boulevard.
Because of the geological and soil conditions, as well as general terrain, slides and rockfalls are common in Middle and East Tennessee, according to TDOT.
According to a TDOT release, common triggers for slides and rockfalls are extended periods of wet weather and/or the freezing and thawing of water and they typically occur in winter and early spring.
TDOT budgets $3 million annually to address rockfall and slide issues and often seeks federal disaster assistance to assist in covering the cost of major slides or rockfalls.
