News Release

Blue Ridge Parkway Announces Roanoke Area Closure due to Slope Failures

Road way failure near Parkway milepost 128.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: May 22, 2020

Contact: Leesa Brandon, 828-348-3420

Contact: Caitlin Worth, 8283483406

Closures due to this incident remain in place. Visitors should reference the Road and Facilities Closure Page for all current closures.
 

Update Jun. 23, 2022: 
Visitors should reference the 2022 Roanoke Projects Update for current information: Parkway Roanoke Projects Update 2022 - Blue Ridge Parkway (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

The Roanoke section of Parkway from U.S. 220 (milepost 121.4) to Adney Gap (milepost 135.9) which was previously open to cyclists and pedestrians is now fully closed to all visitors and recreation of any kind. Due to heavy equipment and contractors working in the area, a full closure is in place and enforceable under 36 CFR 1.5(f).    

Additionally, the Roanoke River Bridge at Milepost 114.7 is still anticipated to open by the end of June 2022.

Update Oct. 7, 2020: 
National Park Service officials announced today that a small section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Roanoke, Virginia is open after temporary repairs were completed to mitigate a small slope failure. The parkway has reopened from Milepost 115.5 (Explore Park entrance) to Milepost 121.4 (U.S. 220). Park visitors and drivers in this section should anticipate a shifted lane alignment, warning signs, new pavement markings and a regulatory speed reduction to 35 mph.

The Parkway motor road will remain closed to all uses south of Milepost 121.4 (U.S. 220) to Milepost 135.9 (Adney Gap) due to a full road failure roughly one hundred and fifty feet (150') in length near milepost 128. This complex road failure will require a closure of at least 12 to 18 months. Visitors are reminded that, due to the hazardous nature of this slope failure, this section is closed to all uses including motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. 


Original Release May 22, 2020:
National Park Service officials announced today that heavy rain over the past week has created multiple road hazards in the Roanoke, Virginia, area of the Blue Ridge Parkway that requires a road closure from Milepost 112.4 to Milepost 135.9, from U.S. Route 24 to Adney Gap. Within the larger closure area, a full road closure to all uses (including motor traffic, bicycles and pedestrians) is in place from Milepost 121.4 at U.S. Route 220 to Milepost 135.9 at Adney Gap.  

The largest hazard is a full road failure roughly one hundred and fifty feet (150') in length at Milepost 128. In addition, Parkway staff also discovered to two smaller slope failures that resulted in debris on the motor road at both Milepost 119 and 124. Concern remains for the stability of the hill and trees above the road in that area.  

The National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration will assess the issues and determine what repairs are needed. Geotechnical and roadway design experts will assess the roadway failures and make recommendations for repairs and restoration of access. The schedule for these repairs is currently unknown.

Specific information regarding daily closures, related to this project or for any other reason, is available on the Parkway’s Real Time Road Map, found at www.nps.gov/maps/blri/road-closures/ .