Gatlinburg Park Entrance Getting $11 Million For Improvements
The National Park Service is once again investing in improvements to the tune of $11 million for the park entrance at the end of Gatlinburg. Specifically, the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (that’s a mouthful) was established in 2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act. This provides the NPS with $1.3 billion a year for five years in order to make widespread and long-awaited maintenance to all of the national parks. Here’s the benefits being given to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
Rehabilitation to Newfound Gap Road between the Gatlinburg boundary and Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Sugarlands Riding Stables entrance road and parking area.
River Road and parking area near the park entrance and the Gatlinburg Trail.
Roadside paved parking areas in the 2 mile stretch between the Burg and Sugarlands.
Reconstruction of Park Headquarters Road.
The Gatlinburg Bypass Bridge.
Park entrance sign parking, including a new sidewalk and designated ABAAS parking space.
Repairing stone masonry and drainages and replace timber guardrails.
Of course, any such project comes with a bit of sacrifice when it comes to traffic and ease of getting to where you’re going. Here’s the expected closures and delays:
Starting the week of April 15th, there will be single lane closures on Newfound Gap Road.
No daytime closures from June 15th through August 15th, or on weekends or holidays (busy summer season).
To reduce traffic headaches, evening work will be required.
The parking area between Newfound Gap Road and River Road at the Gatlinburg Trail entrance will be closed during the project. Also, parts of the Gatlinburg Trail itself will also be closed.
The Bypass bridge will require 20 days of single-lane closures followed by four days of full closure.
September 27th is the anticipated completion date.
The park website will be updated to post any information related to road and trail closures during this crucial project.
This is more outstanding news for much-needed work that needs to be done to maintain the health of not only the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but other parks around this great country as well. Be sure to make a donation, no matter how small, every time you visit the Smokies to help do your part in ensuring people can keep visiting this mountain paradise!
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