Newfound Gap Road/U.S. 411, the scenic 31-mile route through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has reopened nearly three weeks ahead of schedule after a washout forced its closure on Aug. 1. The road, a vital link between Tennessee and North Carolina, had been closed between the Sugarlands Visitor Center and the state line, cutting off direct access to Cherokee, North Carolina, and some of the park’s most popular destinations.
Park officials announced the reopening at 4 p.m. on Sept. 12, crediting crews who worked around the clock in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and contractor Eclipse Companies, LLC. The repair project stabilized the slope with boulders, reinforced the roadway with more than 2,000 tons of gravel, and completed paving and striping just hours before the road was reopened. Although the road is open, travelers should expect some single-lane closures on both sides of the state line as final rehabilitation work continues.
The closure had prompted Sevier County and city officials, along with representatives from Cherokee, to seek federal assistance in speeding repairs before the busy fall tourism season. On Aug. 8, local leaders met with GSMNP Acting Superintendent Charles Sellars at the washout site to discuss options, including opening a single lane or offering financial incentives. Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner sent a letter to U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn requesting help to expedite the project, warning that the closure could significantly impact tourism revenue during peak season. In response, Blackburn contacted U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and sent a letter urging federal support to reopen the road safely and quickly.
The project, originally expected to keep the road closed until Sept. 30, was completed 18 days early, reflecting strong coordination between federal agencies, contractors, and local leaders. Newfound Gap Road, which sees an average of 5,000 vehicles daily, provides access to popular park sites like the Kuwohi lookout tower and is a critical route for both residents and the millions of visitors who travel through the park each year.
Officials also urged drivers to remain cautious for wildlife, which has grown accustomed to the quiet road during the closure. Work on final repairs is expected to continue through late September, particularly on a seven-mile stretch on the North Carolina side and between Gatlinburg and Sugarlands on the Tennessee side.
