CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A section of U.S. 321 in Caldwell County that's been closed for more than a week reopened on Sunday, North Carolina transportation officials said.
U.S. 321 was closed in both directions in northern Caldwell County, just south of Blowing Rock near the Watauga County line due to a rockslide that happened during heavy rain on April 11. The North Carolina Department of Transportation now says the section of Blackberry Road to Green Hill Road is now open.
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 on April 12, but clearing the road and making the area safe has taken longer than crews initially planned for.
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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