FRANKLIN COUNTY (KFSM) - A portion of Highway 23 in Franklin has been closed because of a hill slide Tuesday morning (June 16).
This is the second time the 3.2 mile part of the Pig Trail near Mulberry Mountain has been closed in less than a month.
One lane of traffic was reopened last week, but more rain overnight caused the damage to get worse, District Engineer Chad Adams of the Arkansas State Highway Department said.
Adams said there was too much pressure due to the rain, and efforts to stabilize the water were unsuccessful.
"A slope supporting the roadbed on the east side of the highway continues to slide and has caused large cracks to form in the travel lanes, rendering both impassable," said information officer Danny Straessle in a release.
That part of the highway will remain closed until further notice. If the weather cooperates, the state hopes to open lane by the middle of next week. Drivers are now being diverted to alternate routes.
Adams also said there have been no accidents reported as a result of the hill slide.