Drivers on U.S. Highway 64 will be facing intermittent lane closures for two months starting Jan. 29 for drain replacement, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
TDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn said crews will be removing and replacing 15 deteriorating cross drains on U.S. 64 in Polk County between miles 13 and 17. The drains have to be replaced before scheduled resurfacing can take place later this spring.
The work area is in the Ocoee Gorge, between the commercial take-out at Caney Creek and a half-mile west of the Ocoee 2 Dam/Rogers Branch river access, Flynn said. It will affect traffic to and from the the Copper Basin area.
Crews will work between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and will occasionally have to close lanes.
After the cross drains have been replaced, the riding surface will be rougher than before. Crews will monitor and mitigate these areas until the resurfacing project begins, Flynn said.
Drivers should drive extra carefully in the project area and keep an eye out for workers.
For more information on construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras, visit www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel or Chattanooga area alerts @Chattanooga511.