Date: October 15, 2009
On Wednesday, October 14, 2009, Blue Ridge Parkway officials announced an emergency closure of the park motor road south of Asheville approaching Mt. Pisgah. Federal Highway Administration geotechnical engineers today determined that an inordinate amount of rainfall, the likelihood of additional precipitation and the tenuous condition of the slope create a high risk of failure. The slope failed in 2002 and has been closely monitored since being repaired.
Parkway personnel will move quickly to erect barriers in the potential slide area that will maximize visitor use however, the following temporary closure will be in place until further notice: from Milepost 393.6 at the French Broad river junction to Milepost 405.5 near the Pisgah Campground Country Store.
The Pisgah Inn will remain open and will be accessible from NC-276 at Wagon Road Gap.
Prior to today’s announcement Blue Ridge Parkway and FHWA personnel were nearing completion on designs to stabilize the slope using anchor rods drilled into the mountain. The changed conditions will require design revision before the solicitation of bids in the near future.
Alternate Route Information
For southbound traffic, after crossing the French Broad River Bridge in the Asheville area, turn right onto Parkway ramp. At traffic light, turn right on NC Route 191 to NC Route 280, turn right on NC 280 to US 276, turn right onto US 276 to the Parkway. Pisgah Inn traffic turns right and southbound traffic turns left.
For northbound traffic, stay straight on the Parkway at US 276 to access Pisgah Inn. For northbound Parkway traffic, turn right onto Parkway ramp and left on US 276. Follow US 276 to NC Route 280, follow NC 280 to NC Route 191. Follow NC Route 191 to the Parkway and head north.
