Blue Ridge Parkway Progress: 12 Miles Reopen Between Blowing Rock and Linville Falls

WNC --  Good news for fans of the Blue Ridge Parkway! A beautiful 12-mile stretch between Blowing Rock and Linville Falls officially reopened today, Monday, July 21st.

 This is a huge step forward after Hurricane Helene tore through our mountains last September, causing widespread damage.

You might remember how Helene brought a historic amount of rain, leading to dozens of landslides that washed out sections of the Parkway. One of the biggest challenges was near Beacon Heights, at milepost 306.8. This is where crews have been working tirelessly, fixing a large slope and rebuilding the road from the ground up.

Repairing a mountain road is incredibly complex. Rebuilding a mountainside that's unstable, often in remote spots with tricky terrain. And with our higher elevations, winter weather, and ice cut-down the amount of time crews can actually work. It's a highly skilled and difficult task, showing just how dedicated these teams are.

The National Park Service wants everyone to know that this 12-mile section is just the first of many openings we can expect in the coming weeks and months. They're tackling the repairs in phases, and this current phase aims to get over 48 miles of the Parkway back open by this fall.

While it's exciting to have part of the Parkway back, there's a vital request from the National Park Service: please respect all closed areas. It's not just about rules; it's about safety. There can be hidden dangers like unstable ground or falling trees that aren't obvious. Also, when people go into closed areas, the repair crews have to stop working because it's too risky for them to operate heavy equipment with unauthorized individuals around. This simply slows down the whole recovery process.

So, enjoy this newly opened section, and keep an eye out for more updates. The dedicated crews are working hard to bring more of our beloved Blue Ridge Parkway back for everyone to enjoy safely. For the very latest on what's open and what's not, always check the official Blue Ridge Parkway website at nps.gov/helene-impacts-and-recovery

WNCTimes

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