The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the National Park Service are offering up to a $500,000 incentive for early completion of landslide repairs to U.S. 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - indicating both entities' concerns about the road closure's effects on Cherokee's economy. A 200-foot section of U.S. 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park collapsed in a landslide during a week of heavy rainfall last month, forcing the park service to close the road, which serves as the main artery for motorists traveling from Tennessee to Cherokee. The park estimated the 3 to 7 million repair job would likely take until mid- to late May.
To give the contractor incentive, the Eastern Band and National Park Service have announced that they will pay $18,000 for every day repairs are completed before May 15. Together, they will dole out up to $500,000. However, if the company does not finish the project on time, it will cost. The contract with the park service will charge the contractor $18,000 for every day repairs go past May 15. Business leaders in Cherokee were glad that both entities are taking a proactive approach to ensure that U.S. 441 reopens in time for the main tourist season.
Find more NC mountain news updates on the NC Mountain News Guide.
Showing posts with label US 441 road closure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US 441 road closure. Show all posts
Friday, February 22, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Landslide Road Closure Update
January 22, 2013 - Newfound Gap Road closed to through traffic due to a landslide on Newfound Gap Road (US-441). The road is closed to through traffic between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC due to a landslide at Mile Marker 22 on the North Carolina side of the park.
You can follow all Great Smoky Mountains National Park road closures on Twitter at http://twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps. Updates are available for Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road. This webpage is updated 3-4 times a week.
At this time, access to Newfound Gap from the Gatlinburg entrance in Tennessee is closed to all traffic due to ice and snow. Access to Smokemont campground is permitted from the Cherokee entrance in North Carolina.View map of alternate routes between Galinburg and Cherokee (PDF file, 714 kb). Additional information about landslide
You can follow all Great Smoky Mountains National Park road closures on Twitter at http://twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps. Updates are available for Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road. This webpage is updated 3-4 times a week.
At this time, access to Newfound Gap from the Gatlinburg entrance in Tennessee is closed to all traffic due to ice and snow. Access to Smokemont campground is permitted from the Cherokee entrance in North Carolina.View map of alternate routes between Galinburg and Cherokee (PDF file, 714 kb). Additional information about landslide
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