Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park plans $44M in road projects

Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park plans $44M in road projects

GATLINBURG (WATE/AP) -- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park expects to get more than $44 million in major road and parking projects under way early next year.

The funding comes from a combination of economic stimulus assistance and previously authorized federal lands highway program funds.

Some 56 miles of Smokies roads and parking areas will be rebuilt and repaved beginning in February.

• Clingmans Dome Road - From February 15 to May 28, 2010 the road will be closed to all traffic, but intermittent single-lane closures will continue until June 18
• Roaring Fork/Cherokee Orchard Rd. - February 1 to May 28, 2010 - The one-way Roaring Fork Road will be closed completely, while the two-way portion of Cherokee Orchard Road will be subject to managed single lane closures.
• Cosby Campground Roads - Campground was closed September 8 and will reopen as regularly scheduled in March 2010

In addition to the ARRA-funded work, the following projects will be undertaken using $19.4 million from the Federal Lands Highway Program:

• Foothills Parkway - West (Blount County, TN) - May 10 to June 30, 2010 - road will be subject to single lane closures
• The Gatlinburg Bypass and Newfound Gap Road from the Gatlinburg boundary to the Sugarlands Visitor Center - April 1 to May 28, 2010 - The Bypass will be closed for three weeks in late March/early April, but Newfound Gap Road will be subject to managed lane closures
• Newfound Gap Road from Collins Creek Picnic Area to Cherokee, NC - work began in March 2009 and continue through November 2010. From now through June 15, 2010 the road is subject to weekday lane closures (no work allowed during October or during the Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday periods) In summer 2010 lane closures will be limited to nighttime.
• Cades Cove Loop Road - March 1 to May 21, 2010 - Road closed to all public use, however the campground, picnic area, store and horse stables will be open as normal

When completed, Smokies Superintendent Dale Ditmanson says the park's road system will be in its best shape in decades.

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