Date: March 1, 2007
Contact: Steven Seven, 423.569.9778

The National Park Service has recently announced plans to completely rebuild the road to the East Rim Overlook and repave a portion of the Leatherwood Road.  

Due to concerns for visitor safety during the work, the East Rim Overlook and the East Rim Overlook Road will be closed to any public access beginning Thursday, March 15, 2007.

During the course of the project the old East Rim Road will be completely removed, grade and drainage along the roadbed improved, a new gravel base will be laid and the road will  be paved.  Work on the East Rim Road is expected to be completed by Memorial Day, May 28, 2007.

Once the East Rim Road is rebuilt, a portion of the Leatherwood Road (Hwy 297) from the park boundary to the top of the gorge will also be repaved.  The Leatherwood Road will remain open to traffic throughout the project, however, traffic may be limited to a single lane of travel at times. 

Funding for the maintenance is being provided by the Federal Highway Administration with the work to be done by the Tennessee Asphalt Company. 

The National Park Service regrets any inconvenience this may cause, and wishes to assure it’s park neighbors and visitors that every effort will be made to complete the work in a timely fashion.