Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great American Outdoors Act
On Thursday, March 5, we received the press release below from the National Park Service regarding the resumption of Great American Outdoors Act construction along the Blue Ridge Parkway in our area.
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce remains supportive of this work and thankful to project engineers and Parkway staff for incorporating staggered closures in this round of construction, as members of our tourism community requested last summer. We are grateful for the investment from Congress toward deferred maintenance across all National Parks and eager to see the long-term impact of these funds on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Adequate time for planning is of the essence, and the Boone Area Chamber strongly urges Federal partners to provide as much proactive detail and lead time as possible to prevent scrambling and uncertainly for businesses and communities along this stretch. We remain united with other partner organizations, local governments, and businesses who are seeking to do the same for their constituents and customers.
There will be opportunities next week for local stakeholders to learn more about the project, projected timelines, and impacts to key sections of the parkway. We will continue to work with our partners in tourism, hospitality, and transportation spaces, along with Federal and municipal leaders, to better understand details around closures, alternate routes, and other relevant information from the National Park Service. As soon as we know more, we will pass the information along to you.
David Jackson, President/CEO
Road repairs begin between milepost 280 and 305 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. NPS Photo.
Final phase of historic investment road project begins on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Planning for travel through the Boone and Blowing Rock corridor is essential
BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — National Park Service officials announced today that work will resume on a multi-year Great American Outdoor Act road project in western North Carolina. Intermittent road closures are set to begin in mid-March from milepost 280 to 285 near Parkway School Road, and also from milepost 291.8, at US 321/221, to milepost 305.1, near Beacon Heights and US221. Park visitors and neighbors can expect various sections within this corridor to be closed intermittently while work is underway. Staggered closures are planned in a way that provides continuous access to popular park recreation areas.
A signed detour route, along with a system of signs on secondary roads will direct visitors from the main detour route to attractions along this corridor, including Cone Memorial Park, Price Lake, popular Grandfather Mountain trailheads and Linn Cove trailhead parking. As construction progresses, closure locations will alternate. At all times, the contractor will maintain uninterrupted access from either the north or the south to these visitor facilities and recreation areas. This full road rehabilitation is expected to be complete in fall 2026.
Up-to-date closure and detour maps will be available on the park’s website and in visitor centers along the route. The Parkway website and road status page will provide daily road status information with links to project information or current detour maps.
As with any road project, park visitors and neighbors must exercise caution and observe closures. Within active closures, all activity is prohibited for cars, bicycles and hikers to ensure the safety of Parkway visitors and staff. Heavy equipment and workers will regularly be moving through the project area.
This is the final phase of work on a $100M+ project, spanning 75 miles of the parkway. The project includes repaving and rehabilitation along the mainline motor road, as well as repairs to road drainage structures, curbs, walks, shoulders, guardrails, overlooks and signage. Funding for this project comes from the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund. GAOA is part of a concerted effort to address the extensive maintenance backlog in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, the fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation. This project is jointly managed by the NPS and the Federal Highway Administration.
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The National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.
