Please note Parkway detour!

 

Hi, folks! We have news about bridge work going on near us on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Work has begun on a $29 million project to replace the Laurel Fork Bridge at milepost 248.8, south of the restaurant in Ashe County. A full park closure to all uses in the immediate vicinity of the bridge is expected to be in place the week of June 6. The targeted completion date is November 2024. 

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A full closure to all uses including vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists will be in place between milepost 248.1 and 249.3. A signed detour will direct travelers around the closure between milepost 248.1 and 258.7, routing park visitors around the project site via route(s) NC 18, NC 88, NC 16 and Trading Post Road at Glendale Springs, N.C. Both lanes at the project site, from Milepost 248.1 to 249.3, will be closed to all activity (cars, bicycles, and hikers) to ensure the safety of Parkway visitors and staff. Access to the Parkway between milepost 258.7 and 249.3 will remain available.  

 

Access to Doughton Park and the restaurant will remain open from both directions.  However, visitors approaching Doughton Park and The Bluffs from south of the bridge closure should follow the detour and resume their approach at milepost 248.1.  

 

We apologize for any inconvenience, but we’re also glad to know the historic bridge constructed in 1939 will be replaced. Funding for this project comes from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund.