By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
NEWPORT (WATE) - The work to clean up two rockslides on the Tennessee and North Carolina border is continuing with TDOT saying more than 70% of the rock has been removed. One of those rockslides hit Interstate 40 on Tuesday near mile marker 451 forcing both westbound lanes to close. TDOT officials are now saying at least one lane could open again by Sunday night or possibly sooner. The Eastbound lanes were not affected.
The closure has been difficult for a number of businesses on the Tennessee side of the rock slide. At Brandywine Creek Steakhouse and Tavern, in Newport, has seen a decline of interstate customers. The owner, Geraldine Ridens, says it has been tough.
"Big time," said Ridens. "It really has because back in 2009 it almost put us out of business, and we were just praying we wouldn't have anymore rockslides, but when you live in Newport, Cocke County, you try to get used to them but you can't."
Despite the hardships, Ridens decided to add a special to their menu called the Rock Slide.
"We take tater tots, build it up like a little pile of rocks, and we put chili, which is homemade, and cheese on top and sour cream, and it's really delicious," she said.
Across the street from the restaurant is the Time Out Travel Center truck stop, which has also seen fewer customers.
"There's less traffic," said Time Out employee Jonathan Hill. "The truck drivers coming in and say how it's out of their way to go around, and there is going to be a lot less traffic in town."
Everyone who works near the rockslide hopes the westbound lanes will be open soon because it has already started to take its toll.
"I usually get two days off," explained Hill. "Now I'm getting an extra day off. Hopefully they can get it fixed and get it straightened back out."
"If it can be cleaned up and finished in 30 days I think everybody will be OK," said Ridens, "But anytime you're over 30 days the state should declare us a disaster area like they do the flood victims, or the oil victims, or anything like that."
But for now, Ridens is just hoping their new special called the Rock Slide will earn them an extra buck until the interstate reopens.
