Lakeview Drive reopens
Lakeview Drive in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City is now open, but rehabilitation work on the road is still ongoing.
The road has been closed since summer as crews work on a complete reconstruction of the 6.5-mile road, made possible using $15.7 million of federal Great American Outdoor Act Funding. While the road is now open, temporary single-lane closures and periodic closures of some parking areas will continue as crews work to rehabilitate parking areas, guardrails and headwalls. The project will wrap up in the spring when crews place the final layer of asphalt on top, providing a smoother ride.
Hikers and visitors will be able to access the Noland Creek Trail, Lakeshore Trail, Goldmine Loop Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail and Lakeview Drive Tunnel but may not be able to park at the closest parking lot to the trailhead. Visitors should expect to see machinery and equipment in the area until the project is complete.