Blue Ridge Parkway Projects Near Completion
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — In alignment with President Donald J. Trump’s initiative to expedite recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene and enhance accessibility to national parks, the National Park Service (NPS) has made significant strides in repairing the Blue Ridge Parkway. These developments come just as the fall tourism season reaches its peak.
Recent project completions, funded by the Disaster Supplemental funding from the American Relief Act and the historic Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund (GAOA LRF), have allowed for the reopening of crucial sections of the Parkway. Notably, visitors can now travel without interruption from James River at Milepost 63.7 in Virginia to Little Switzerland near Milepost 344 in North Carolina.
Significant Progress Reported
Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor acknowledged the rapid recovery efforts, stating, “Under President Trump and Secretary Burgum’s leadership, Interior has ensured a strong and speedy rebuilding process after Hurricane Helene to restore access to our great communities in western North Carolina and our beautiful public lands.” Of the 60 slide repairs needed post-Hurricane Helene, 48 are complete, with efforts ongoing for the remaining 12. Currently, access has been restored to 458 of the Parkway’s 469 miles, with work progressing on the last 11 miles.
Superintendent Tracy Swartout highlighted the importance of these improvements for tourism, noting that increased access allows visitors to enjoy the fall landscape and engage with local communities and businesses along the Parkway. “We are proud of the progress our employees, partners and contractors have made to restore access, and we look forward to welcoming visitors this fall,” she added.
Recent Openings and Repairs
The NPS has also completed additional recovery projects in North Carolina, including the stretch from Milepost 317.5, south of Linville Falls, to Milepost 324.7, and from Milepost 333.9 in Little Switzerland to Milepost 340.2 at NC-80. In Roanoke, Virginia, the Parkway has reopened Milepost 115 to 121, completing a multi-year repaving and rehabilitation initiative funded by the GAOA LRF.
Additional access points have reopened in the Boone and Blowing Rock area of North Carolina, including the Deep Gap Bridge at Milepost 276.4 and loops B and D of the Julian Price Campground at Milepost 297. The Deep Gap Bridge was closed for scheduled maintenance over the summer, while loops in the campground were affected by Hurricane Helene. Restoration efforts by arborists and volunteers have successfully opened this popular camping area, with reservations available through October 30 on recreation.gov.
Future Developments and Visitor Information
This latest round of openings follows previous sections in the Boone/Blowing Rock corridor. A significant road reconstruction project from Milepost 229.6 near Doughton Park to Milepost 305.1 by Grandfather Mountain was completed in mid-September, also funded by the GAOA LRF. Final repairs related to Hurricane Helene are underway from Milepost 344 to 355, expected to be finished and reopened by the end of 2026.
For more details regarding fall travel on the Parkway, including road status updates and facility schedules, visitors can access the park’s website at www.nps.gov/blri.
Source: National Park Service. Photo: NPS.
