News Release

Critical repairs to three Blue Ridge Parkway bridges start January 29

Blue Ridge Parkway extended detour map as of January 2024

News Release Date: January 26, 2024

Contact: BLRI Public Affairs

SPARTA, NC - A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 222 to Milepost 230 will close on Monday, January 29, 2024, for needed repairs to three historic bridges located at mileposts 223.8, 224.7 & 227.5. Bridge repairs include reconstruction work to replace concrete bridge decks and railing systems and rehabilitation of stone masonry.

A signed detour in place for road projects already underway in the area will be extended north of Sparta, NC via NC 18 to the North Carolina/Virginia state line near milepost 217.3. Access to the Doughton Park recreation area, including the campground and Bluffs Restaurant, will be available via NC 18 in the spring. Access to Cumberland Knob including Fox Hunters Overlook will not be affected. It is anticipated that the bridge project will continue into the fall of 2024. 

During this project, both lanes of the Parkway will be closed to all activity (cars, bicycles, and hikers); and as with any road project, park visitors and neighbors must exercise caution and observe closures. Heavy equipment and workers will regularly be moving through the project area.

Some of the most distinctive architectural features of the Blue Ridge Parkway are its outstanding collection of over 170 bridges. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the largest designed landscapes in the country, providing visitors with a wide variety of opportunities to experience southern Appalachian nature, history and culture.

The Parkway website and road status page are important planning tools that provide milepost by milepost status information daily with links to additional project information or detour maps where applicable.