Explosive Blast For I-35 Near Turner Falls To Take Place Wednesday

State highway officials plan to detonate explosives on cliffs beside Interstate 35 in the Arbuckle mountains Wednesday. The blast was originally set to take place Tuesday evening, but it was postponed due to the weather.

At 6 p.m., contractors working for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation plan to set off a small charge on the rock slide at the Arbuckle Mountains. The small charge will take place and unstable rock is expected to drop to the ground.

Weather is a factor and ODOT officials said they will notify the media if something changes. Conditions on site are currently very muddy at this time.

There is considerable backup along I-35 near the site in addition to lanes narrowing just north of Purcell due to repairs from an accident, according to ODOT. 

State Transportation Executive Director Mike Patterson said in June, several rockslides caused by downpours from Tropical Depression Bill temporarily halted northbound traffic on I-35.  

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said two semis hit rocks on the road, damaging their tires.

After the rockslides, ODOT opened one lane of I-35  in each direction and reduced speeds to 50 m.p.h.  That resulted in traffic delays stretching for miles.

Stay with us for updates.