I-40 PIGEON RIVER GORGE EMERGENCY LANDSLIDE REPAIR CHALLENGES

On September 27th, 2024, the effects of Hurricane Helene were felt throughout the southern Appalachia region. Raging floodwaters of the Pigeon River began to scour the eastbound embankment of I-40. With the river rising upwards of 30 feet, the Pigeon River carved into the embankment, swallowing trees, guardrail, and in several places near the NC/TN boarder, interstate traveling lanes. While most of the westbound lanes were intact, there were significant tension cracks that posed potential future challenges that needed to be addressed, requiring speedy & effective emergency response to prevent further loss of infrastructure. Days following the storm, GSI was onsite in both NC & TN assessing damage, working with local grading contractors and DOT to develop a gameplan on addressing the immediate needs.