The main route used to cut through Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now scheduled for emergency repairs.
U.S. 441, also known as Newfound Gap Road, closed on Aug. 1 due to a landslide triggered by a rainstorm. The road is a key throughway in what is the busiest national park in the U.S. Newfound Gap is also the main connector between the North Carolina and Tennessee sides. Its closure essentially cuts the park in half along its state borders. It’s possible to drive around, but the detour could take hours and take visitors outside the park to I-40.
Recently, the National Park Service announced plans to award a contract for the road repairs this month, with hopes of the roadway reopening by early October.
More than 12 million people visit the park each year, and the fall can be busy with many heading to the Smokies to see the leaves change colors.
NPS officials say a lot of the road on the North Carolina side remains open. However, on the Tennessee side, they’re offering advice for visitors. Park officials suggest people explore “Cosby and Greenbrier for hiking, or take in the scenic views from Foothills Parkway.”
In the meantime, while the park waits for the emergency repairs, Great Smoky Mountains officials hope visitors will obey roadway signs and closures to keep everyone safe. They also recommend checking shuttle schedules to avoid getting stuck in traffic.