Great Smoky Mountains National Park will conduct a series of projects on the Gatlinburg Spur throughout the latter half of September, necessitating single-lane closures and shoulder closures. Commuters and visitors traveling between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge should anticipate traffic delays during these periods, as nps.gov - Great Smoky Mountains National Park - News Releases reported. The work is scheduled to begin on September 14 and continue through September 30, requiring drivers to exercise extra caution for the safety of both park personnel and other travelers.
One primary initiative involves storm damage repairs on the southbound section of the Spur. This work is slated for September 14 through September 17, with daily operations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The affected area stretches between the Gatlinburg Welcome Center and the Gatlinburg City Limit. Park crews will focus on adding stabilization to the side of the road, replacing concrete curbs, and implementing new drainage infrastructure to address previous storm impacts. A single lane in this southbound stretch will be closed during these hours.
Concurrent with the storm damage repairs, the park has scheduled shoulder closures for utility surveys. These surveys are preliminary steps for future construction efforts. From September 14 to September 16, between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., shoulder closures will be in effect on both the northbound and southbound acceleration ramps near Huskey Grove Bridge. Personnel will be actively working behind the guardrails and medians in these areas. Motorists are advised to drive with vigilance in these zones where workers will be present adjacent to the roadway.
A more extensive period of single-lane closures is designated for utility work near Huskey Grove Bridge, starting later in the month. This project will run from September 21 through September 30, with daily work hours from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The park intends to initiate single-lane closures on the southbound lanes first, subsequently shifting the closures to the northbound lanes. Notably, the single-lane closure in the northbound direction will affect the tunnel section of the Spur. Work for this specific utility project is scheduled to conclude daily at noon on September 25 and will not occur over the weekend.
The Gatlinburg Spur serves as a crucial transportation artery within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Spanning approximately 4.2 miles, this four-lane divided roadway is an integral segment of the scenic Foothills Parkway. It establishes a direct connection between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, acting as a primary gateway for the millions of visitors who enter the national park annually.
Given its strategic location and function, the Spur is recognized as one of the busiest routes in the entire region. During the peak summer season, the roadway accommodates an average of 40,000 vehicles per day. The impending closures are therefore expected to impact a significant volume of traffic. For the most current information regarding these road closures and other ongoing construction projects, visitors and residents are encouraged to consult the park's official website.
