Direct from TDOT:
I-75 South is reduced to one lane between Mile Markers 145 and 141 and has been shifted to the northbound side of the Interstate around a recent slide at mile marker 141.9. Motorists should be alert for narrow lane conditions with no shoulders through this section. The speed limit has been reduced to 40 MPH through this section and motorists should use extreme caution and travel at this reduced speed. Wide loads over 12 ft. are not permitted through this section. Wide loads must exit off I-75 South at Exit 160 (Jellico) and turn Right and follow S.R. 297 West to S.R. 63 and back onto I-75 South at Exit 141. Motorists are advised to begin merging left prior to Mile Marker 145. There are no exits between Exit 160 (Jellico) and Mile Marker 145 and motorists are advised to check fuel levels prior to Exit 160. Minor to Major delays are possible during peak travel times and on weekends. Motorists are advised to consider alternate routes.

According to a news story I found on the situation, last month there were delays of up to 4 HOURS to travel this area.

 

Bummer , I'm coming from Buffalo, NY and my route was I-75! Is this a long term repair or do you think it may be completed in (2) more weeks? I think I'll consider an alternate route. See you on the Dragon !


H8WERK

 

After looking on the map, the detour they gave would work out well. But there is also 25 than goes on the other side of the road and kind of cuts the corner (you will see in on the map). It also look like it might be a twisty type road with not to many access roads to it, and it also goes thru Brushy Mount Gap and Big Creek Gap along with Cove Lake State Park (looks to be a big lake). So this might be a bit better as they are not sending all the trucks and normal traffic that way, and we might get to see some other fun roads in the country. And the best part is it all comes back out onto I-75 at Exit 134 (south of all the other stuff). I am looking into this option......any thoughts?

 

From what I found on the situation, the road isn't expected to fully re-open before May 26th.

 

I just posted this on the Caravan thread, but it may be more useful here...

I just saw a bulletin on some patching that the KY Transportation Cabinet will be doing for the next 1-3 weeks on I-75. You can read the bulletin here: http://transportation.ky.gov/i-75updates.asp
You can click on the 511 Traffic Info link near the top of the page for maps.
If you are considering HWY 25w, you can pick it up in Corbin, KY. HWY 25w is a pretty good road for MINIs, although I have not been down that far south on it before.

 

Some days you can breeze right through this and some days it is terrible. We have two delivery trucks that come through this daily. Re-entering I-75 at exit 134 will not help much as there are two bridges being re-worked south of 134 (in addition to the slide area). If you are going to use back roads you will need to come all the way to Norris/Clinton exit. I will see if I can look at a map and find the best route for you. Otherwise it will be the crap shoot on I-75.


Donna

 

ugh, stop and go would not be fun

 

How were you planning on getting to I-75? Coming down from Buffalo a better option might be to try and catch I-77 around Cleveland and take that south to I-81 in VA. Then take I-81 South to where it ends at I-40. Take I-40 West into Knoxville and exit on to US-129 which will take you straight to the Dragon....

Part of this route is a toll road however... I-77 from Charleston WV to US-460 in WV is a toll road, but they do accept EZPass if you have one...

 

My GPS had auto routed me down I-75 as the shortest distance to Fontana. But as we know the shortest isn't always the fastest! Following your advice I have re-routed to I-77, I-81, to 129. It's actually 86 miles longer but should prove quicker in the long run, it also appears more scenic. The occasional toll road is no problem. Thanks again for the advice

See You On The Dragon!
"H8WERK"

 

At Charleston, WV, you can pick up route ll9 to Pikeville, KY and then US 23 to Kingsport, TN and pick up I 81 there. It is 4 lane all the way except for short stretch (20 Miles) from Williamson, WV to Pikeville, KY. Won't have a toll road that way and I travel it all the time. Watch out for the bears in VA... They are thick.. and unmrked..

:smile:

 

Queen B- You said some days you can breeze thru and others there are delays. Any word on what it's like at night? I am coming from Central IL. Been to the GAP too many times to count, and I always come down I-75. Generally I am traveling sometime between midnight and 8am. Thanks for any input.

 

Info from our delivery drivers who travel from TN to KY and back on a daily basis:

The KY project slows you down but is not bad. The slide area in TN is the same. The worst hold up is the bridge work south of exit 134. Not bad in the AM but is a terrible slow down most afternoons.

I don't believe you will have a problem on your schedule Appygirl.