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Map showing locations of Helene road repairs by phase across North Carolina sections of the Parkway.
Helene Road Construction Phases
As a result of Hurricane Helene, the Parkway identified at least 57 landslides of varying complexity across nearly 200 miles in North Carolina. Work to restore road access, repair road damage, and stabilize slide areas began in the fall of 2024, and is planned in three phases, as outlined below and also reflected on the map above:
PHASE 1 – This initial round of projects addresses 12 repairs in eight geographic areas. Once complete, across the summer and into the fall of 2025, over 48 miles of the Parkway will be restored for public use in various locations across western North Carolina.
PHASE 2 – Projects included in this phase will repair 21 landslide areas primarily between milepost 318.2 and 323.4, in the area south of Linville Falls. Contracting is currently underway for projects included in this phase, and work is expected to be complete by fall of 2026.
PHASE 3 – Planning is underway for this phase, which addresses repairs to over 23 sites primarily between milepost 336.7 and 351.9, in the area between Little Switzerland and Mount Mitchell. A final reopening date for this phase is dependent on various contracting and construction timelines. The park's target completion, pending these steps, is fall of 2026.
Storm Damage - Project Information
Stay informed with updates, timelines, and behind-the-scenes photos of road repair projects to rebuild and restore sections of the Parkway impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Location: Milepost 224.9 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes restoring paved waterways, repairing drainage trenches, and reconstructing pavement. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Summer 2025
Location: Milepost 254.9 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall to restore and strengthen the failed slope and backfill additional areas washed out by the slide. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning, and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 274.9 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall to restore and strengthen the failed slope and backfill additional areas washed out by the slide. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning, and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 284 (Repairs at 3 sites) Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials and installing a rock buttress to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes restoring the paved waterways, repairing drainage trenches, reconstructing pavement, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Completed Repair Timeline: Summer 2025
Location: Milepost 306.8 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing material to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes installing a rock buttress, reconstructing paved waterways, repairing drainage trenches and pavement reconstruction. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Completed Repair Timeline: Summer 2025
Location: Milepost 313 Overview: Repairs will involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning, and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 316 to 325 (Multiple Locations) Overview: This work will involve slope, road, and infrastructure repairs at four sites between milepost 316 and 325. These projects are currently in the planning phase and specific work is still being determined. Funding Source: Supplemental Disaster Funding Status: Phase 3 - Assessment and Planning Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 317 - Linville Falls Overview: Park facilities near Linville Falls experienced a great deal of destruction from the storm, including the visitor center, picnic area, comfort station, and portions of the campground and spur road. Future plans for this site are still being evaluated. Funding Source: Supplemental Disaster Funding Status: Phase 3: - Assessment and Planning Stage Repair Timeline: TBD
Location: Milepost 318 (Repairs at 2 Sites) Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 319 (Repairs at 7 Sites) Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes guardrail replacement and culvert cleaning. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 320 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes guardrail replacement and culvert cleaning. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 321 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 322 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a rock buttress and installing topsoil and turf. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 323 (Repairs at 2 sites) Overview: Repairs at two sites involve rebuilding a stone masonary wall, verifying the integrity of soil anchors, installing a celluar confinement and erosion control system, replacing top soil and turf, and removing debris. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design, Planning, and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 336 to 345 (Multiple Locations) Overview: This work will involve slope, road, and infrastructure repairs at twelve sites between milepost 336 and 345. These projects are currently in the planning phase and specific work is still being determined. Funding Source: Supplemental Disaster Funding Status: Phase 3 - Assessment and Planning Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 342 and 343 (Repairs at 3 Sites) Overview: Repairs include temporary stabilization and safety measures for 3 slides, including installation of geomembrane with sandbags and shot rock, placement of safety barriers, guardrail repairs, debris removal, and repair and reconditioning of drainage trenches. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Summer 2025 (Temporary Stabilization Only - Permanent repairs will occur in Phase 3)
Location: Milepost 344.4, 344.6, and 345.6 Overview: Repairs at three sites involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes culvert replacement, resetting stone masonry headwalls, and road patching. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 2 - Design and Contract Award Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 346 to 351 (Multiple Locations) Overview: This work will involve slope, road, and infrastructure repairs at nine sites between milepost 346 and 351. These projects are currently in the planning phase and specific work is still being determined. Funding Source: Supplemental Disaster Funding Status: Phase 3 - Assessment and Planning Stage Repair Timeline: Fall 2026
Location: Milepost 356 / 369 / 374 Overview: Repairs at three sites involve reinforcing the slope, slope clean-up and repair, shoulder repair, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1: Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Fall 2025
Location: Milepost 375 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes culvert repairs, drainage trench reconditioning, guardrail replacement, pavement reconstruction, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Fall 2025
Location: Milepost 380.5 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes drainage trench and paved waterway repair and reconditioning, pavement reconstruction, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Fall 2025
Location: Milepost 401 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes culvert repairs, drainage trench and paved waterway repair/reconditioning, guardrail replacement, headwall reconstruction, pavement reconstruction, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Summer 2025
Location: Milepost 421 Overview: Repairs involve constructing a reinforced soil slope (RSS) using layers of soil and reinforcing materials to rebuild the failed slope. Additional work includes drainage trench repair/reconditioning, guardrail replacement, pavement reconstruction, and debris removal. Funding Source: Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO)
Status: Phase 1 - Construction in Progress Repair Timeline: Summer 2025
