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Contact: Lisa Baldwin
Contact: Jody May
MIDDLESBORO, Ky. — In late February, the National Park Service will begin work to replace the Little Yellow Creek Bridge on Bartlett Park Road. Bartlett Park will remain open and accessible, but visitors will see and hear construction activities. The road and areas south of the bridge, including Marsee Cemetery, will not be accessible during construction.
The construction project will also repair a culvert on Pinnacle Road, just west of Bartlett Park Road. These culvert repairs will not affect visitor access. Project work schedules are subject to change due to weather.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park preserves the historic Cumberland Gap, a key point for crossing the Appalachians that became known as the First Gateway to the West. Located where Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia meet, the park’s 24,000 acres includes 85 miles of hiking trails, front and backcountry camping, a historic Appalachian settlement, cave and rock formations and 14,000 acres of managed wilderness. The visitor center in Middlesboro, Kentucky, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Entrance is free. For more information visit our website or Facebook page.
UPDATE: May 21, 2026
The project to replace a bridge on Bartlett Park Road continues despite recent delays. In addition to weather delays, the contractor is experiencing delays.
Bartlett Park remains open and accessible, and visitors may see and hear construction activities. Areas south of the Bartlett Park Road bridge are not accessible during construction. If access to Marsee Cemetery is needed, please contact the Park Superintendent or Chief Ranger.
Crews are currently estimating a late summer completion date.
Last updated: May 21, 2026