Monteagle Mountain
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Monteagle Mountain is the local name given to a stretch of Interstate 24 near Monteagle, Tennessee that travels over the Cumberland Plateau. Being part of the plateau, it is not technically a mountain, but appears that way to motorists crossing over it. It is frequently referenced as one of the most treacherous stretches of highway in the United States, especially in inclement weather. It rises to an elevation of around 2,000 feet (600 m), with gradients of 6%.
The section of I-24 known, tautologically, as Monteagle Mountain consists of a 12-to-13-mile-long (19 to 21 km) segment in Grundy and Marion counties that includes both the eastern and western escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau. I-24 also travels concurrently with U.S. Route 64 (US 64) through this section. I-24 crosses the plateau in its narrowest section, which appears as an hourglass shape on maps. Monteagle Mountain is best known for its eastern descent, but its western descent is also one of the most hazardous stretches of Interstate Highway as well. Compared to grades elsewhere, Monteagle's 4–6% grade over a period of several miles does not come close to the steepest. The route contains six lanes over the eastern escarpment, with the extra lane on the westbound side serving as a truck climbing lane, and four lanes over the western escarpment. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has yet to construct a truck lane on the western ascent.
On the eastern descent of the plateau, the eastbound lanes contain a 6% grade over a length of about 4.1 miles (6.6 km) where the elevation drops 1,161 feet (354 m), and is particularly hazardous to truckers. At the top of this downgrade is a truck inspection station, and this downgrade also contains two runaway truck ramps, which are on the left due to the terrain. The speed limit on the eastbound lanes reduces to 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) and 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) for trucks, while on the westbound lanes it reduces to 55 miles per hour (89 km/h), with no separate restrictions for trucks.[1]
The eastern downgrade of Monteagle Mountain also contains the third-widest median of any Interstate Highway, with the others being I-8 through the In-Ko-Pah grade in California and I-84 through the Cabbage Hill grade east of Pendleton, Oregon.[citation needed]. There is more than one mile (1.6 km) between the eastbound and westbound lanes at one point. The eastbound lanes descend the mountain on one side of a ridge, while the westbound lanes ascend the other, and are located on what was originally US 64. The westbound ascent is approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 km) longer than the eastbound decent, making the westbound side slightly out of line with mileage signing.[2]
The western downgrade of Monteagle Mountain on I-24 drops 778 feet (237 m) over four miles (6.4 km), with a 5% grade. While not considered as hazardous as the eastbound descent, the westbound descent contains many curves, including one "c-shaped" curve, protracted over a distance of almost one mile (1.6 km). The eastbound and westbound lanes are also located very close together, and crossover crashes and crashes with Jersey barriers located in the median in some places are common on this stretch. This segment also features off-ramp approach-style lane dividers, in order to slow both motorists and truckers. The speed limit on the downhill westbound lanes, of this stretch is 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) and 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) for trucks, while on the uphill eastbound lanes it is 55 miles per hour (89 km/h), with no separate restrictions for trucks.[1]
The approximately two miles (3.2 km) on top of the mountain, which contains exits with US 41 and US 41A, is not hazardous, but maintains the 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) speed limit. A rest area is located at the top of the western escarpment of Monteagle Mountain.
East of the grade, the route passes through a narrow valley alongside Battle Creek, with slight banked curves as it enters Kimball and South Pittsburg. West of the grade, the route enters the relatively flat terrain of the Eastern Highland Rim, passing through Pelham.
Background
The mountain was part of the Cherokee homeland until 1817.[3] The mountain was named "Eagle Mountain" by the Cherokee because of the great number of golden eagles that roosted and nested along its ridge line. In fact, in honor of those birds, for many years a golden eagle sat in the park in Monteagle until it was stolen as a school prank. It now sits in display at Tennessee Technological University.[4]
After the Cherokee were removed, the area was renamed "Moffit's Station" in May 1870 by John Moffat, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, with his wife and children. It would later become "Moffat Station" and still later, the city of Monteagle.