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Bad news for all you guys wanting to "run" the dragon. US129 from the North Carolina state line to the Foothills Parkway Intersection on the Tennessee Side is closed for a minimum of 14 weeks, possibly extending to August 2010 due to the rockslide that occured. Barricades have been placed at both ends and will be guarded by security and local police agencies. TDOT did remove enough debris to open a lane, but the rock face has been deemed unsafe, so no traffic until they determine how much of the rock face will need to be removed. So, basically the Dragon is shut down - possibly all summer.
I live approx 20mins from the Dragon and rode up to the barricades this past Saturday to confirm the time frame. Its a bad situation locally due to tourism and workers who travel that road everyday as its the only route they can use to/from that area, otherwise its a 100mile detour. NC and TN officials are trying to work out a way to re-open it quicker, but so far its not looking good.
Scott
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