My OperaRoad paving projects in the Smokies close some hiking areas
Saturday, April 24, 2010 10:50:50 AM
The $12.2 million for Recovery and Reinvestment Act (RRA) projects to improve hiker parking areas and resurface two roads in the Park brings total Recovery Act funding for the Smokies to $77.5 million. The projects are: re-paving the Foothills Parkway-East, the Smokemont Campground and the Heintooga Ridge Road. In addition the Park will create new hiker parking areas and repave the roads leading to the popular Little River and Jakes Creek Trails in the Elkmont Area.
The Smokies NP has also received more than $33 million of RRA funding to continue construction of the uncompleted Foothills Parkway.
Work is already underway to repave the Smokemont Campground and that campground is currently still closed but is scheduled to reopen after the work is finished on May 27. Hikers are unable to drive into the campground to Smokemont Loop or Bradley Fork trailheads, and must park outside the campground and walk in. A contract was awarded to pave three parking areas and to repave all the connecting roads between the Little River Trailhead and the Elkmont Historic District. During the early phases of construction visitor access to Jakes Creek and Little River Trails will be provided, but the area will be closed between July 6 and August 31 when safe passage can no longer be possible through the construction zone.
Details on all of the park’s Recovery Act and other facility and road construction projects are available at the Park’s website at: www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit.”
The Smokies NP has also received more than $33 million of RRA funding to continue construction of the uncompleted Foothills Parkway.
Work is already underway to repave the Smokemont Campground and that campground is currently still closed but is scheduled to reopen after the work is finished on May 27. Hikers are unable to drive into the campground to Smokemont Loop or Bradley Fork trailheads, and must park outside the campground and walk in. A contract was awarded to pave three parking areas and to repave all the connecting roads between the Little River Trailhead and the Elkmont Historic District. During the early phases of construction visitor access to Jakes Creek and Little River Trails will be provided, but the area will be closed between July 6 and August 31 when safe passage can no longer be possible through the construction zone.
Details on all of the park’s Recovery Act and other facility and road construction projects are available at the Park’s website at: www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit.”
