Aerial photograph showing the damage to I-75 in Campbell County when a section of embankment at the 143 mile marker already undergoing repairs slid away, taking with it moisture-laden material and a portion of a stabilization wall that had been built.

SHARE Aerial photograph showing the damage to I-75 in Campbell County when a section of embankment at the 143 mile marker already undergoing repairs slid away, taking with it moisture-laden material and a portion of a stabilization wall that had been built. Aerial photograph showing the damage to I-75 in Campbell County when a section of embankment at the 143 mile marker already undergoing repairs slid away, taking with it moisture-laden material and a portion of a stabilization wall that had been built.

By News Sentinel Staff

Campbell County detour map during the I-75 spill cleanup

The images speak for themselves.

Aerials released today by the Tennessee Department of Transportation show the extent of slippage on part of Interstate 75 in Campbell County as well as the degree of work performed so far to address the damage.

"I keep using the word 'massive,' " TDOT Region 1 spokesman Mark Nagi said today.

Early Tuesday, a section of embankment at the 143 mile marker already undergoing repairs slid away, taking with it moisture-laden material and a portion of a stabilization wall that had been built.

This week's new slide came as crews were trying to address damage from a March 8 embankment erosion along the southbound lanes of I-75.

Currently, both lanes of southbound I-75 are closed as well as one northbound lane in the area. Traffic is being detoured along designated wide-load and traffic routes.

TDOT officials estimate it'll be May 21 before any southbound traffic can be routed on a makeshift detour of I-75. Complete repairs to rebuild the slope and the two southbound lanes likely will take until at least Sept. 28, according to TDOT.

The Kentucky contractor, Elmo Greer and Sons, LLC, is launching soil nails 20 feet deep into the mountainside to stabilize the existing embankment.

The contract was let for $9.3 million, but Nagi said it's possible the work could take longer at a greater cost.

"I don't know if that will be the case here, but it certainly has happened in the past," he said.

In order for the road to be made whole, Nagi said today construction crews over the coming months must buttress the hillside, refill what's now gone and build the highway lanes. From top to bottom, the distance measures about 180 feet, he said.

More than 28,000 vehicles a day travel north and south on the impact section of I-75 between mile markers 141 and 144.

Motorists should expect the potential for long delays on I-75 while repairs are under way.

The detour route for I-75 South: Take Exit 160 in Jellico, Tenn., follow U.S. 25W to LaFollette and back onto I-75 South at Exit 134 in Caryville, Tenn.

Wide-load detour route for I-75 South: Take Exit 160 in Jellico, turn right and follow state Route 297 West to state Highway 63 and back onto I-75 South at Exit 141.

Suggested alternate route for I-75 North: Take Exit 134 in Caryville, U.S. 25W to LaFollette and back onto I-75 North at Exit 160 in Jellico.

More details as they develop online and in Saturday's News Sentinel.