Gatlinburg Bypass closed as landslide cleanup continues
The Gatlinburg Bypass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains closed as crews continue cleanup efforts following a significant landslide that occurred the morning of Saturday, Sept. 27.
Crews work toward expedited repair of Newfound Gap Road
The National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration continue to work toward emergency repairs for U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road following the Aug. 1 washout and landslide. The agencies plan to award a contract in August and expect that construction will be complete in early October.
Persistence pays off: Pless champions long-delayed infrastructure project
After more than four years of setbacks, political wrangling and bureaucratic delays, a small but vital infrastructure project in Haywood County is nearly complete — thanks in large part to the persistence of Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood).
Some waterways remain dangerous post-Helene
Officials at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) report there are still areas that are unsafe to participate in water activities due to remaining debris from Hurricane Helene. Some locations are inaccessible to emergency responders in the event an incident occurs.
The axe always forgets, the tree always remembers
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to cut it up and use it for heat or timber, is it a waste of resources? Or, put another way, are humans the only reason that all other life on Earth was created?
Sylva awards contract for Allen Street repair
Sylva has taken the next step in the long process of repairing Allen Street after slope failure destroyed parts of the road early in 2020.
When the next one comes: Emergency managers work toward flood preparedness
In the year since Tropical Storm Fred ravaged Western North Carolina, emergency managers have been busy working to ensure that next time a wall of water tears through Haywood County, it will exact a much lower cost to life and property.
More repairs needed in Allen Street project
An inclinometer on the prefab slope above Bryson Park shows that some movement has occurred since it was installed more than 60 days ago, indicating a need for repair.
Sylva delays Allen Street funding decision
Sylva Town Manager Paige Dowling presented two options during the town board’s Aug. 26 meeting for funding the $2 million needed to repair landslides on Allen Street, but her ultimate recommendation was that commissioners pass on both and wait for help.
Sylva faces $2 million road repair
Fixing ongoing landslide issues on Allen Street could cost up to $2 million — an amount equivalent to more than 40% of the town’s current budget — Sylva commissioners learned during a discussion at their Aug. 12 meeting that lasted over an hour.
