Originally Posted by Knoxville News-Sentinel

TOWNSEND — State officials have let a nearly $2 million contract to clear the rockslide on U.S. 129 that has closed a section of road popular with motorcyclists called “The Dragon.”

Pacific Blasting Demolition Ltd. won the contract with a $1.99 million bid. The other qualified bidder was Phillips and Jordan, Inc., which submitted a $2.65 million bid, according to a release from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

The road was closed March 14 to all traffic because of a rockslide near the Chilhowee Dam in Blount County. TDOT estimated the road would be closed until July 31, but is offering incentives to get the route opened sooner.

If workers can get the road open by July 1, Pacific Blasting Demolition can collect a total of $195,000 incentive based on paying $6,500 for each day prior to July 31 the work is completed early. Conversely, the company faces daily penalties of $6,500 for each day beyond July 31 the work is not finished, according to TDOT.

TDOT said crews should begin working no later than April 5.

TDOT officials said they will continue to seek ways to get part of the roadway open during the cleanup in order to alleviate the financial strain business along the route will suffer during the closure.

Several businesses have cropped up to cater to motorcyclists who come from around the world to ride the road in Blount County that offers more than 300 curves along an 11-miles stretch of road between Tennessee and North Carolina.

More details as they develop online and in Wednesday’s News Sentinel.