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County Mayor McMahan addresses I-40 rockslide meets with Sens. Alexander, Corker and Congressman Roe  PHOTO SUBMITTED
On Thursday, Cocke County Sheriff Claude Strange, left, and Newport Chief of Police J. Maurice Shults, right, visited the site of the rockslide that has Interstate 40 closed for an undetermined amount of time near the 3 mile marker, in North Carolina. "We are continuing to monitor this situation for its impact on both the infrastructure and economy of Newport and Cocke County. "We planned this trip so we could travel together and conserve fuel to try to do our part to help cut back on expenditures during this situation, as additional burdens are placed on our local economy," said Sheriff Strange. Chief Shults who also visited the site Monday morning said, "It is apparent to me that they are making progress in this cleanup project. I admire those men that are scaling the rock face to remove the rocks and debris that create a hazard to workers from above. Rocks as large as full size vehicles could possibly roll from the side of this mountain at any second."
While in Washington, DC this week, Cocke County MayorIliff McMahan Jr. met with Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Bob Corker and Cong. Phil Roe discussing a range of issues concerning Cocke County. But the first andmost important issue discussed was the rockslide that has occurred just inside North Carolina on Interstate 40. "We are at the peak of our fall leaf season. Folks from all over the world come to the Smokies in October to experience ourspectacular mountain colors and heritage traditions," said McMahan."Our economy is already hurting and this is just another challenge we haveto address. "On Wednesday and Thursday, I had the opportunity to meet with Sen. Alexander, Sen. Corker and Congressman Roe, and their staffs. I outlined our concerns and the challenges that face us. All three gentlemen understood the struggle this situation has put upon our businesses, and theyall are working hard to rectify this situation as soon as possible. "We are working together exploring the possibilityof emergency disaster funds, a role for the Army Corp of Engineers, assisting NCDOT in the timely removal of the debris, and with helping our visitors navigate through our county. "Just this morning, I had a conversation with Paul Degges, Chief Engineer with the Tennessee Department of Transportation in Nashville. I expressed my concerns with the signage on I-40 directing people off at Exit 432. TDOT's intention was to direct traffic to Highway 25/70 through Hot Springs, N.C., but the result is that our travelers believe that the other exits in Cocke County are closed. "Mr. Degges assured me that he has had a discussion with our regional TDOT office in Knoxville and that the I-40 signs will reflect that all exits in Cocke County are open for business and that Highway 25/70 can be accessed by several exits in the county. "Cocke County Partnership President Don Hurst and Iwill be traveling to Nashville this week to meet with TDOT, and other state departments, to find solutions to these and other challenges we are facing in Cocke County. I know that byworking together with our state, regional and federal partners, we will find the solutions to help our citizens who are coping with a struggling economy andnow a rock slide."
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