Deals gap closed till september

[CasterTroy]

Not sure if this is NEWS...or off topic...but:

On March 15, 2010 a rock slide occured 2 miles south of Chilhowee Dam on US129 closing both lanes of traffic. On March 19, 2010, traffic was blocked at the North Carolina and Tennessee state line preventing access to 11 miles of US129, commonly known as the Dragon. This road block also prevents access from Parson's Branch Road and the Calderwood Dam area. On March 24, 2010, TNDOT released a reopening date of September 1, 2010.

This road is not only a tourist attraction in itself, but also provides a commuter route for Tennessee and North Carolina residents, visitors, and commercial traffic. The only alternative is US441 through the Smoky Mountain National Park or the Cherohala Skyway. Either of these options present a great inconvenience.

Both the North Carolina and Tennessee areas near US129 rely on tourism as a major source of revenue. This road closure will have a definite impact on the local economy. We encourage all officials to take whatever steps are necessary to expedite the reopening of part or all of this US highway.

Anyone who is interested in expressing their concerns over the temporary closure of US129 should contact these officials:

NC Governor:
Governor Bev Perdue
Governor’s Office
Office of the Governor
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
Phone: (919)733-4240
Fax: (919)733-2120
governor.office@nc.gov


NC US Congressman:
Congressman Heath Shuler
422 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC, 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6401
Fax: (202) 226-6422
Boyce.Deitz@mail.house.gov


NC State Representative:
Senator John Snow
NC Senate
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2111
Raleigh, NC 27601-2808
Phone: (919) 733-5875
Email: John.Snow@ncleg.net

TN Governor:
Governor Phil Bredesen
Governor's Office
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-0001
Phone: 615.741.2001
Fax: 615.532.9711
Phil.Bredesen@tn.gov


TN US Congressman:
Congressman John J Duncan JR
2207 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5435
Fax: 202-225-6440
http://www.house.gov/writerep/


TN State Representative:
Senator Doug Overbey
4 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0208
Phone: 615-741-0981 or
800-449-TENN, ext. 10981
Fax: 615-253-0224
Sen.Doug.Overbey@capitol.tn.gov