Multiple Blue Ridge Parkway Projects Advance Near Boone, North Carolina
As one Helene recovery project wraps up, another historic road maintenance project moves forward
BOONE, NC – On Aug. 4, the National Park Service reopened approximately four miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 280.9 to 285.5, near Bamboo Gap.
This opening signifies another milestone in the completion of a series of initial recovery projects currently underway along the historic route. The Parkway identified at least 57 landslides of varying complexity across nearly 200 miles of western North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Helene. Work to restore road access, repair road damage, and stabilize these slides began in the fall of 2024, and is planned in three phases.
At the same time access is restored in areas damaged by Helene, ongoing and nearby road maintenance projects are also advancing. A major road rehabilitation project, funded through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), will also begin work in an adjacent section of the park this week, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of this historic legislation.
Also on Aug. 4, from milepost 276.4 to 280.9, a closure will go into effect allowing crews to continue work in a small section of this ongoing legacy project. A signed detour is in place in the area, routing traffic around the parkway on US 221, US 421, and Old 421 S to the access at milepost 280.9 (near Parkway Elementary School). Work in this section is planned to be complete in October.
For safety reasons, the park asks that people continue to respect remaining closures due to both Helene recovery work as well as other repair work. Multiple seen and unseen hazards exist in closed areas, and crews and heavy equipment at work make areas unsafe. Visitors should also be aware that trail assessments are also still underway, and caution should be exercised as hikers may encounter hazards on trails such as landslides, tree debris, and washed-out sections or bridges.
Visitors should plan carefully for any trip along the Parkway and consult the park’s website for a wide variety of planning tools. The park’s website provides extensive information, including current road status, multiple regional maps, and other helpful information, about the park’s recovery process at go.nps.gov/Helene.
National Park Service
About the 75-mile Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) road repair project
In 2022, the Blue Ridge Parkway announced a $98 million, multi-year repaving and rehabilitation project spanning 75 miles of the Parkway in North Carolina, from milepost 229.6, just north of Doughton Park, to milepost 305.1, near Grandfather Mountain. Work on the project began in 2023 and includes repair or replacement of drainage structures, curbs, walks, shoulders, guardrails, overlooks and signage. The project is managed with a staggered series of shorter closures allowing for continuous access to recreation areas and visitor amenities within any active project zone.
Funding for the project comes from the Great American Outdoors Act’s National Parks and Public Lands 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 and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors. This project will eliminate more than $115.6 million of maintenance backlog for the park. It will also support more than 1,600 jobs and contribute $348 million to the nation's economy.