Rock netting coming to Nantahala Gorge

N.C. Department of Transportation officials recently awarded a $450,000 contract to increase the stability of a hill beside U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala Gorge that has suffered from recent slides.

The preliminary work to be completed by GeoStabilization International requires a closure of U.S. 19/74 in the gorge starting Monday, March 9, and lasting through the week. Drivers will be routed through Robbinsville — as they have been during recent closures due to slides — which adds about 20 minutes to commute times.

Crews from GSI will spend the week scaling a slide area near Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area with hand tools including axes, shovels, and pry-bars to remove loose material and prepare the area for the next phase of repairs.

Once the scaling is complete, likely on Sunday, March 15, traffic will return to the current one-lane pattern with a traffic signal at the slide area. Then crews will spend the next two to three weeks installing rock bolts and 9,000 square feet of steel netting to stabilize the slide area and prevent additional dirt and debris from entering the highway at this location. The roadway should open to two-way traffic by the first weekend in April. “During this very technical work, it is safest for drivers and the crews to have the road closed,” said NCDOT Assistant District Engineer Zach Shuler. “Once it opens back to one lane, drivers will need to be cautious in the area and expect the unexpected, like seeing workers dangling by ropes from the hillside like mountain climbers.”

This hillside in the Nantahala Gorge suffered a slide on Jan. 4 that closed the highway and forced NCDOT officials to set up a small catchment area and install the traffic signal for the safety of passing drivers.

During the closure, the detour will direct westbound traffic from U.S. 19/74 to N.C. 28 to Stecoah, N.C. 143 to Robbinsville and U.S. 129 to Topton and U.S. 74. Eastbound traffic will go to Robbinsville and then Stecoah en route back to U.S. 19/74. Visitors may still access the Nantahala Outdoor Center from the east.

www.smokymountainnews.com

Fish Fry at Pigeon Center

Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center will hold its annual Fish Fry fundraiser beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, March 6, at 450 Pigeon Street, Waynesville.

Cost is $10 a plate, which includes fried fish, baked beans, cole slaw, hushpuppies, drink and dessert. Fish will also be sold separately for $1.50 each. Eat in or carry out available. Call ahead for large orders.

For more information, call 828.452.7232.

Help with job search

Are you looking for a job? Do you need help with your job search, resume writing, or interviewing skills?

Your local NCWorks Career Center can assist you with a job search, resume writing or interviewing skills from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 5, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

On the first Friday of each month a career advisor from the Swain County NCWorks Career Center will be at the library to assist job seekers with their job search efforts. Assistance filling out job applications, creating professional resumes, and preparing for interviews will be provided.

If you can’t make it Friday, stop by the

HCC to hold business webinars

The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College will offer a free webinar series - Business Planning Power Hour for current and prospective small business owners who are short on time and ready to build a business plan or revisit a current plan.

The one-hour webinar “power hours” will address business planning tools, tips, tricks and resources to help you create or strengthen your business plan. Seminars in the Business Planning Power Hour series include: “Structure and Resources” from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 11. This seminar includes a quick overview of the core components of the business plan, resources to assist in development and time blocking for successful completion.

“Market Plan” will be held Wednesday, March 25; “Management, Organization and Operations” will be held Wednesday, April 15 and “Financials” will be held Wednesday, April 29. overall business plan. Resources will be highlighted and shared.

Visit sbc.haywood.edu or call 828.627.4512 to register.

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