Weather may accelerate rock slide work

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Crews trying to stabilize a mountainside to prevent future rockslides along a closed portion of Interstate 40 in North Carolina say the weather is finally right for getting a lot of work done.

A massive rockslide in October closed a stretch of I-40 in the far western part of the state. Crews have been working ever since to clear the boulders and drill rock bolts into the mountain to prevent future slides.

Rain, snow and cold weather this winter has slowed the work. But crews say sunshine and warmer temperatures forecast for Friday or Saturday should help them install 100 more bolts into holes drilled deep in the mountain.

Transportation officials say 170 of the 590 rock bolts have already been installed.

The road is scheduled to reopen in late April.