The National Park Service is posting that work will begin Saturday (approximate, see below) on a more permanent fix on the infamous “crack” which closed a 20-mile section of the Parkway near Asheville in late summer. The project should be completed by late spring.
The crack gained national attention in late July as it closed a popular section of the most visited unit in the National Park Service (NPS) during its second busiest month. Workers made a temporary 500-foot bypass to allow traffic for the busy fall season.
See our Blue Ridge Parkway Map for an interactive detour route around the closure.
The NPS is posting a detour route from Asheville to Spruce Pine via Interstate 40 and Highways 221 and 226.
MILEPOST 355-376 – Due to a slope failure below the Parkway near Tanbark Tunnel in NC, a closure will go into effect around November 16, lasting until late spring. All traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists, are prohibited in the closed area. From Asheville, Interstate 40 east and U.S. 221 north to Spruce Pine at Milepost 331 is the preferred and marked detour and alternately south on U.S. 221 near Spruce Pine at Milepost 331 to Interstate 40 west to Asheville.
Road Closure Near Boone Remains In Effect
A 5-mile section of the Parkway is closed near Boone, NC for a similar slope failure. See our road closure page for more details.