CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A section of U.S. 321 is closed in northern Caldwell County after heavy rains caused a rockslide on Thursday night, transportation officials said.
The rockslide happened just south of Cone Orchard Road, which is a few miles south of the Watauga County line. Both directions of U.S. 321 are closed from mile-marker 30.5 to 32.5. The road was originally expected to reopen Friday evening, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation now expects it won't re-open until the evening of Sunday, April 14.
The closure is having a major impact on drivers heading from Lenoir to Blowing Rock, as well as traffic into the mountains from Catawba, Gaston and Lincoln counties that would typically take U.S. 321.
U.S. 321 rockslide detour
Northbound traffic: Drivers can take North Carolina 18 east to northbound North Carolina 16. Drivers can then turn left onto U.S. 421 North into Boone and then get back on U.S. 321 toward Blocking Rock.
Southbound traffic: Drivers can take U.S. 421 south before turning right onto North Carolina 16. Drivers can then follow that to U.S. 321.
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