Alternate Routes Available for I-40 Rockslide Closure

If you're planning a road trip to western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee or Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you may need to adjust your driving route, but there's no need to change your travel plans.

A rockslide covered Interstate 40 with tons of debris near the 2.6 mile marker early Sunday morning, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that the slide area, just north of the Tennessee border, will likely be closed for a few months for debris removal and road repair.

This area attracts many tourists during the fall months; they come to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park and to enjoy the brilliant colors of the autumn leaves. During the I-40 cleanup process, you can choose from several detours. North Carolina DOT has set up an all-interstate detour, and the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority has posted a list of scenic detours on its website.