Update (3/31/2010): There have been persistent visitor reports that they have heard that the main road across the Smokies, Newfound Gap Road (US 441) between Gatlinburg,TN and Cherokee, NC is closed. It is not. The Park had a small slide on Monday which closed the road overnight, but it re-opened to all non-commercial traffic Tuesday a.m.
Update (3/30/2010): The Newfound Gap Road opened as planned this morning at 7 a.m. A detour is now in place to allow two way traffic through a parking area adjacent to the slide area. In order to keep Newfound Gap Road open, Park officials will keep the detour in place for a couple of weeks while they continue to monitor the slope’s activity to determine its stability. Park officials are advising motorists to drive cautiously and adhere to the 15 mile per hour speed limit.
A landslide in Great Smoky Mountains National Park occurred on the Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) about 11 a.m. today in North Carolina, about 1 mile south of the state line at Newfound Gap. Park road crews cleared the road of the debris and are currently managing the area with flaggers allowing alternating one lane of traffic through a parking area adjacent to the slide. Traffic will continue to be managed through this area during the remaining daylight hours. Because of concerns over more mud and debris falling from the hillside onto the roadway and out of concern for motorists and Park employee’s safety, Park officials will close the road to all traffic overnight beginning at 8 p.m. The road will reopen at 7 a.m. when flaggers will be on site to direct traffic around the slide area. Motorists should be prepared to stop at this location.
Tomorrow, Park road crews will begin placing concrete barriers along the road to prevent further debris from affecting motorists. They will also be constructing a temporary detour with additional barricades and signs to allow two lanes of traffic to move through the parking area. This detour will remain in place until it is determined whether the slide has stabilized or if mechanical debris removal is necessary. Park officials are advising visitors to drive cautiously and observe posted speed limits and lane changes through this section.
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