Part of Davis Creek Road in Nantahala to Remain Closed until Early Fall

The USDA Forest Service announced Friday that a portion of Davis Creek Road in the Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest, will remain closed until early fall to complete road improvement work.

The contract road work affects approximately three miles of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 420-1 (also known as Davis Creek Road or Tipton Creek Road), from the intersection of NFSR 420-5 south to the intersection of NFSR 420-4. The road was scheduled to re-open soon, but this date has been changed in order to allow the construction contractor time to complete the work.

The project will result in greatly improved, safer, all-season access both to National Forest lands and the Tipton Creek Community, as well as better access from Murphy north toward Tellico Plains in Tennessee. The Forest Service will construct a new asphalt route that will bypass steep switchbacks, which will be eliminated and restored to natural grade. The remaining portion of Davis Creek Road south, past Allen Gap to the pavement, will remain gravel. The project will close Davis Creek Road to traffic in the construction zone.

Travelers wishing to go west or north from Murphy toward Tennessee should use alternate routes during the closure period, such as Joe Brown Highway or Beaverdam Road. Questions concerning the road work may be directed to Karl Buchholz, engineer, at 828-257-4262.

The $508,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project will improve a roadway that serves visitors to the national forest and residents of surrounding communities.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com