Smokies Hosts Public Meetings to Provide Updates on Roadwork Projects

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials invite the public to a meeting for a project update on current and future roadwork plans for Newfound Gap Road and the Gatlinburg Bypass. The discussion will include details related to roadway resurfacing, drainage system improvements, stone-wall masonry rehabilitation, and slope stabilization in efforts to make these well-traveled roadways sustainable for continued vehicular travel by our 9 million visitors each year.

Meetings will be held on Monday, August 5th from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Sugarlands Visitor Center Training Room, near Gatlinburg, TN and on Tuesday, August 6th from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Oconaluftee Administrative Building near Cherokee, NC.

“We recognize that park roads such as Newfound Gap are critical arteries for traffic flow to and from our local communities,” said Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. “While the completion of these road projects will improve the park road conditions, we understand the project work creates a potential impact to our local communities. We look forward to sharing our design and project management details regarding how we will minimize these impacts to our visitors and park neighbors.”

During the meetings Park staff will provide information regarding four rehabilitation projects taking place in 2013 through 2016 including current work along 6.1 miles of Newfound Gap Road near Chimney’s Picnic Area south towards Newfound Gap and future projects including resurfacing of the Gatlinburg Bypass, slope stabilization along Newfound Gap Road near the Deep Creek trailhead, and roadway rehabilitation along Newfound Gap Road from Chimney’s Picnic Area north to Gatlinburg, TN.

For more information regarding the public meetings, contact the Public Affairs office at 865-436-1207 or 865-436-1203.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies