EMERGENCY ROCK SLOPE REMEDIATION AT "DEADMAN'S CURVE" IN PINKHAM'S GRANT, NEW HAMPSHIRE

During the spring of 1999, rockfall from a large rock cut landed on N.H. Route 16 in Pinkham's Grant, New Hampshire. The site is located at the base of Mt. Washington in the White Mountain National Forest. The 110-ft high rock slope is carved into the valley wall along the inside of a sharp curve in the road. On the opposite side of the road there is a steep rockfill embankment slope, which drops 200 ft in elevation to the Ellis River. Rockfall has consisted of blocks ranging from 1 to 6 ft in diameter. Further instability in the rock slope posed an imminent hazard to motorists, prompting the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to temporarily close one lane of the road and erect jersey barriers to keep falling rock from hitting vehicles. An emergency project was undertaken for remediation of the rock slope. The work included closing a section of N.H. Route 16 for approximately 2 months, the construction of a 0.8 mile long temporary detour road, removal of 122,000 cu yd of rock, construction of a rockfall catchment area with energy absorbing stone and the installation of prestressed rock anchors. Work started on August 10, 1999 with a deadline of October 1, 1999 to complete the rock removal and to open N.H. Route 16. The challenges were formidable which included limiting impact to the U.S. Forest Service Land, keeping rock out of the Ellis River, not disturbing environmentally sensitive areas and completing the work in a very short time period without disrupting traffic.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Unlike most groups and organizations that meet on a regular basis, the Highway Geology Symposium has no central headquarters, no annual fees, and no formal membership requirements. The governing body of the Symposium is a Steering Committee. Recent proceedings may be obtained from the Treasurer of the Symposium, Mr. Russell Glass.
• Corporate Authors:

  Mr. Russell Glass

  100 Wolf Cove Road
  Asheville, NC  United States  28804
• Authors:
  • Lane, R
  • Fish, M
• Conference:
  • Better Highways Through Applied Geology. 53rd Annual Highway Geology Symposium
  • Location: San Luis Obispo, California
  • Date: 2002-8-13 to 2002-8-16
• Publication Date: 2002

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 112-123

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Embankments; Mountain roads; Rock slopes; Rockfalls; Slope stability
• Uncontrolled Terms: Mitigation measures (Rockfalls); Prestressed rock anchors; Rockfall catchment areas
• Geographic Terms: Pinkham's Grant (New Hampshire); White Mountain National Forest
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; I43: Rock Mechanics; I51: Earthworks and Soil Drainage;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00962017
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CD-ROM
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 8 2003 12:00AM