National Park service reopens two southern sections of Blue Ridge Parkway in WNC
ASHEVILLE - The National Park Service has reopened two southern sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway Oct. 30, restoring access to nearly 55 miles of the scenic byway, which closed in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene after some stretches suffering devastating damage.
The Parkway is now again open from Milepost 411.8 to 421, from US 276 to Black Balsam, including Graveyard Fields overlook and trailheads, and all trails and trail crossing in this corridor, though a news release from the NPS advised people to use "extreme caution."
Also, newly open to traffic is MP 423.2 to 469, from NC 215 to US 441 in Cherokee, NC, near the great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance, which includes Heintooga Spur Road to the Masonic marker and the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store at MP 451.2.
The first section of Parkway to reopen in North Carolina since Helene was announced Oct. 23, a 20-mile stretch near Blowing Rock. The Parkway is the most-visited site in the National Park Service and snakes the Blue Ridge Mountains for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smokies in Cherokee.
The section from MP 421 to 423.2, between the two newly open sections and including Devil’s Courthouse, remains closed for all uses due to a significant landslide that impacted the roadway during Helene, according to the release.
All along the Parkway, areas are closed as crews continue work to clear widespread debris, remove hazard trees and install hardened closures around road sections that will require lengthy reconstruction. The NPS expects the Devil's Courthouse closure to be in place for an extended period as plans for permanent reconstruction are developed and implemented.
"The Parkway is an important travel corridor for our surrounding communities and a treasured recreation destination,” said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout in the release.
“Opening these additional miles of the Parkway in North Carolina is an important step forward, but much work remains. We ask that visitors stay out of the Devil’s Courthouse area and all other closed sections, even on foot, for their own safety. Any public use behind closed gates, including hiking and biking, puts workers and visitors at risk.”
Due to the severity of the storm, conditions on park roads and trails are still evolving, and are expected to continue to change over the next weeks and months.
The release advised visitors anticipate changing conditions and share their travel plans with others in advance. The NPS has not yet completed trail assessments and caution is encouraged for trail users who may experience hazards resulting from landslides, downed or leaning trees, wash-outs, and other damage. Exercise caution while visiting open areas, including trails.
Visit the NPS website at nps.gov/blri and social media for updates.
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Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: National Park Service reopens 55 miles of Blue Ridge Parkway in WNC
