The I-40 rockslide threatens the future of a holiday tradition.
Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm is located right off the interstate at exit 20.
That's the point at which the rockslide roadblocks begin.
Owners Dan and Betsy Boyd worry the road closure will cost them customers.
On the North Carolina side of the slide, they fear people in Asheville and points eastward will think their farm is not accessible.
On the Tennessee side, they fear loyal customers from Chattanooga and Knoxville will not want to brave the detours around the slide.
They also say the potential loss in customers comes during their busiest month of the year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation says work continues on the site of the slide.
On Monday, contractors installed a pulled system and moved two drills to the top of the mountainside.
On Tuesday, crews will use those drills to begin drilling and blasting the 500,000 tons of rock now covering the roadway.
By Heather Graf
Posted at 5:10 p.m. on 11/2/09
Rockslide Roadblocks For Christmas Tree Farm
Posted: Monday, November 2 2009, 03:29 PM CST
