"Having A Blast" In Polk County

TDOT engineers and contractors are blasting away at the loose boulders towering above the area where a massive rock slide shut down Highway 64 along the Ocoee River.

The first of a series of blasts on Monday caused boulders seven to 15-feet in diameter to tumble down the side of Little Frog Mountain and come to a rest in the massive pile of debris that litters the roadway next to Ocoee Dam #2. Another team was assembling a 275-ton crane and preparing a pad for it to work from.

TDOT spokesperson Jennifer Flynn said another blast was scheduled for late Wednesday morning. After more debris is loosened geologists and engineers will go back up the 200-foot slope and inspect the area for more signs of loose material. Depending on their findings, crews could set off more explosives after the Thanksgiving holiday.

In preparation for Wednesday's planned detonation TDOT contractors brought in 200-tons of gravel to spread across Highway 64. Flynn said it will provide a layer several inches thick that is supposed to cushion the fall of the larger rocks and help prevent them from rolling down to the side of the dam that's a popular kayak and raft launching site. TVA engineers are keeping an eye on the dam to make sure the explosions and work don't cause any damage.

TDOT has secured emergency funding of about $2.1-million for the clean up and estimated it won't be finished until mid-January. Of course that could change depending on the outcome of the blasts and rock removal.