Multiple road construction and maintenance projects are scheduled to take place across the Great Smoky Mountains National Park beginning January 5, with work continuing through mid-April in some areas.
According to Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s announcement, the projects are expected to impact traffic flow on several major park roadways, including routes frequently used by visitors traveling between Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and key park destinations.
In the Sugarlands area, road work will run from January 5 through January 30, as part of the Sugarlands Water and Wastewater System Rehabilitation Project.
During this period, motorists should expect single-lane closures along US-441/Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and the Sugarlands area, beginning just north of the Gatlinburg Bypass intersection.
The work includes the replacement of sewer manholes and pipes, with lane closures in place 24 hours a day using portable traffic signals to manage traffic flow.
For safety reasons, parking areas near the active work zone will be closed throughout the duration of the project.
Additional long-term improvements are planned on The Spur, the heavily traveled roadway connecting Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Phase 1 safety improvements on The Spur will take place from January 5 through April 14.
Planned work includes shoulder paving, guardrail replacement, and safety enhancements at gravel pull-off areas.
Single-lane closures are expected on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., while no work is scheduled during federal holidays, weekends after noon on Fridays, or during the Easter travel period from March 30 through April 10. Officials have indicated that no nighttime work is planned for this phase.
Parkwide hazard tree removal is also scheduled from January 5 through February 2026, with an estimated completion timeframe of mid to late February.
Initial work will begin along US-441/Newfound Gap Road from the Gatlinburg, Tennessee, park border toward North Carolina, covering mileposts 0 through 20.
Additional roadways included in the tree removal effort are The Spur, Gatlinburg Bypass, Foothills Parkway West, Little River Road, Cades Cove Loop, Deep Creek Entrance Road, and other park roads.
Visitors are advised to expect delays and exercise caution while traveling through active work zones, as these projects are intended to improve safety and infrastructure reliability for the millions of travelers who access the park each year, including RV owners and outdoor recreation enthusiasts who rely on safe, well-maintained routes for park access.