Blue Ridge Parkway Begins Next Phase of Reconstruction of Historic Stone Guardwalls

Beginning yesterday, the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed to all traffic from Milepost 232.5 at Stone Mountain Overlook to Milepost 244.7 at Basin Cove Parking Overlook. The closures will last until mid-summer of 2011. Detour traffic signage will direct Parkway visitors around the closure area via NC Route 18 and US Highway 21 through Laurel Springs and Sparta.

Upon completion of the second phase of construction, additional closures and detours will follow between Milepost 218 near Cumberland Knob and Milepost 238.5 near Doughton Park; however, the Doughton Park Campground and Brinegar Cabin will reopen. The Bluffs Lodge and Coffee Shop will be closed for the season. Project work is scheduled to be complete in the Summer of 2012.

The Historic Stone Guardwall Reconstruction Project will involve 28 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 217 to Milepost 245) that contain 32,000 linear feet of historic rock masonry walls. A significant portion of the walls are severely deteriorated due to settlement and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles over the past 75 years. This project rehabilitates and reconstructs the most deficient wall sections, and will restore the structural integrity and historic appearance of this important cultural resource.

Please click here for a map of the detour.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com