Gov. Phil Bredesen has asked the state departments of transportation and human services to scour their budgets for funds that could help Polk County residents incurring hardships because of the Nov. 10 rock slide.
In a written statement, the governor said he “is aware of the difficulties the rock slide has imposed on those who travel this route.”
“The state remains committed to working with local and federal officials to offer whatever assistance may be available to help the families whose lives have been disrupted by this rock slide,” he said.
Transportation officials have said U.S. Highway 64, which was made impassable by the rock slide, will be closed until March 31. Eastern Polk County residents have found the detour lengthens their commutes to Cleveland or Chattanooga by an hour.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has secured $3.8 million in federal funds to pay for the cleanup of the massive slide.