TDOT awards 1.99 million to clean-up The Dragon

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Damn I'm in the wrong line of work  ???  We could have got " THE " Detn8er with a few well placed " BOOM -BOOM'S " and few of us that can drive a dump truck and be done this weekend for half that 



TDOT awards contract for rockslide cleanup on 'The Dragon'
 
  The Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded an emergency contract on Monday to clean up debris from a March 14 rockslide on a stretch of U.S. 129 known as "The Dragon.

Thrill-seeking riders who take the 11-mile stretch of the two-lane road may have to be tamed for a few months. The road is closed from just after Happy Valley Road, if you're heading to North Carolina, to the state line.

Cleanup is expected to start April 5 and end by July 31. You cat get the latest updates from TDOT on the closure when you click here.

"The Dragon" is an international favorite with bikers and sport car enthusiasts because of its 318 curves and mountainside route.

Pacific Blasting Demolition Ltd. submitted the low bid of $1.99 million.

Phillips and Jordan, Inc. was the only other pre-qualified contractor and submitted a bid of $2.65 million.

TDOT is providing an incentive of $6,500 per day for the contractor to complete work and reopen the roadway before July 31.

If the project is totally complete by July 1, the contractor will receive the full incentive of $195,000.

Failure to complete the project and reopen the road by July 31 will result in a fine of $6,500 per day until work is completed.

The rock slide, near the highway's junction with the Foothills Parkway, happened just as business from motorcycle enthusiasts and thrill-seekers annually picks up.

TDOT spokesperson Yvette Martinez says the short-term emergency plan calls for all lanes to be closed, but that could change as contractors make progress.

TDOT continues to work with agencies and interested parties in Tennessee and North Carolina regarding the closure of the Dragon.

TDOT is working to determine a solution for both businesses and emergency needs and is hopeful some arrangement can be reached so portions of the road can be reopened.

For now, detours remain in place from the slide area to the NC state line.

[stormrider]

Where's Fred Flintstone when you need him?

The Flintstones Intro Video

Does that include a retaining wall to prevent future closures? course they're in a hurry to get it back open so's they can go back to collecting those fines.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Where's Fred Flintstone when you need him?

The Flintstones Intro Video

Does that include a retaining wall to prevent future closures? course they're in a hurry to get it back open so's they can go back to collecting those fines.

It's the area business owners that depend on motorcycle's that are going to suffer . I heard on the FM today they " may " try to get one lane opened it depends on how safe the remaining rock are.

[stormrider]

Oh, I know. Anytime they do road work around here it kills the local store owners. I'm sure those affected by it are suffering plenty. Isn't the slide on down the mountain from the overlook. Seems like they could open it up to motorcycles only on even # days and cars on odd # days and have the run of it. Wouldn't have to worry bout those log trucks I've seen pics of hanging both lanes.

BTW, how'd the move go on the monster trailer. Was thinking bout that yesterday.

[sheets]

Similar situation up the road from me on CA 96.  State highway has been closed due to a large rock slide for a good three weeks now.  Just started working on it about a week ago after geologists and other engineers standing back and letting it come apart on its own until it settled down enough to safely tackle it.  Steep mountainous terrain with huge boulders makes for difficult working conditions.

[Kaiser]

Damn I'm in the wrong line of work  ???  We could have got " THE " Detn8er with a few well placed " BOOM -BOOM'S " and few of us that can drive a dump truck and be done this weekend for half that 

It's amazing the amount of $$$ involved in highway construction jobs.  I work for the company that handles TDOT's online bidding.  We have 35 other states using our system as well.  Last year, over 103 BILLION dollars in bids went through our system.

Smokinjoe - just out of curiousity, where specifically in TN are you?  Ever heard of Abingdon, VA?  That's where I grew up.  Dang, I miss the Blue Ridge mountains!

[Bob E.]

Yup...$2M doesn't buy much in the highway construction industry.  I'm working on a project now for the widening of a highway (adding a 3rd lane each direction) and the construction estimates are running around $12M - $13M per mile.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Damn I'm in the wrong line of work  ???  We could have got " THE " Detn8er with a few well placed " BOOM -BOOM'S " and few of us that can drive a dump truck and be done this weekend for half that 

It's amazing the amount of $$$ involved in highway construction jobs.  I work for the company that handles TDOT's online bidding.  We have 35 other states using our system as well.  Last year, over 103 BILLION dollars in bids went through our system.

Smokinjoe - just out of curiousity, where specifically in TN are you?  Ever heard of Abingdon, VA?  That's where I grew up.  Dang, I miss the Blue Ridge mountains!

I live outside of Knoxvillle close to The Great Smoky Mountains. Yes I've been through Abingdon many times.The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of my favorite rides .I've rode the entire Parkway several times over the years.You should try to make a few of the upcoming events or rides in 2010.

[stormrider]

Yup...$2M doesn't buy much in the highway construction industry.  I'm working on a project now for the widening of a highway (adding a 3rd lane each direction) and the construction estimates are running around $12M - $13M per mile.

Worked for GA DOT back in the 70's. We were astounded at the cost of new construction at $1 million a mile. My how times have changed.