Date: January 7, 2008
Contact: Bob Miller, (865) 436-1207
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has set two public workshops for January 15 and 17 to invite public input on the park’s plans to carry out a major rehabilitation of a 14 ½ mile section of Newfound Gap Road (US 441). The meetings are the first step in preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the impacts of various alternatives on the natural and cultural resources of the Park as well as on the experience of visitors.
The project would extend from the Park entrance near Gatlinburg, Tennessee to the Newfound Gap Overlook Parking Area. Proposed rehabilitation activities include milling and/or overlaying the existing asphalt on Newfound Gap Road, roadside pullouts and parking areas; rehabilitating or reconstructing stone masonry guardwalls, removing and resetting stone curbs; and replacement or repair of the existing drainage structures. Also under consideration is the addition of left turn lanes at the Chimneys Picnic Area and the Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead Parking Area; and providing additional parking at the Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead and Chimney Tops Trailhead parking areas.
The draft EA is currently expected to be released for public review in the winter of 2008/2009. The EA will be used to select the final design actions and alternatives which the NPS and the Federal Highway Administration will work jointly to incorporate into detailed specifications to award a contract using funds scheduled for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
The meetings will follow an open house format and will not include a scheduled presentation. Both meetings will provide the same materials and information. The meetings will be held at the following locations, dates and times:
Gatlinburg, TN Meeting
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Garden Plaza Hotel
520 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Cherokee, NC Meeting
Thursday, January 17, 2008
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn
37 Tsalagi Road (Hwy 19)
Cherokee, NC 28719
The park is inviting public comments regarding potential issues and concerns, alternatives, potential environmental impacts, and mitigation strategies that should be considered during the planning process. Comments can be provided at the meetings, by mail, or on-line.
Comments by mail, may be sent to:
Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Rehabilitation of Newfound Gap Road – Environmental Assessment
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Comments may also be made on-line at and follow the appropriate links to Rehabilitation of Newfound Gap Road – Environmental Assessment.
