The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia remains closed following the passage of Tropical Storm Helene. The National Park Service is uncertain about when the road will be able to reopen.
The park service has enlisted assistance from external sources. According to spokesman Mike Litterst, as of Thursday afternoon, approximately 250 park service employees from 32 states and the District of Columbia were aiding the Blue Ridge Parkway staff in their recovery efforts.
According to Litterst, the National Park Service teams are currently conducting initial inspections of the roadway.
In an email, he expressed that the teams have observed significant, and in some cases catastrophic, damage along the parkway.
According to Litterst, the park service will need several weeks to thoroughly evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the timeline and cost of repairs. As a result, it is expected that the road will remain closed during the popular fall foliage season, when traffic is typically heavy.
The parkway, which was finished in 1936, spans a distance of 469 miles, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
The parkway serves as a popular route for both locals and tourists, attracting visitors seeking to soak in the fresh mountain air and panoramic views from various overlooks and hiking trails along its path. According to the park service, approximately 16.8 million individuals explored the parkway last year, contributing nearly $1.4 billion to the economies of nearby communities.
The National Park Service has recently reopened U.S. 441, commonly referred to as Newfound Gap Road. This scenic route stretches through the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains National Park, connecting Cherokee, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s important to note that commercial vehicles are not allowed on U.S. 441 while passing through the park, ensuring a peaceful and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
