Critical Repairs to Deep Gap Bridge Underway on the Blue Ridge Parkway

BOONE, N.C. - On July 27, the Blue Ridge Parkway will begin significant rehabilitation of the Deep Gap Bridge over U.S. Highway 421 to improve a section of the Parkway at milepost 276.4. The project is part of the National Park Service's larger effort to improve visitor safety, protect access to popular destinations, and help preserve historic park infrastructure.

During construction, visitors can expect a full road closure with signed detour on the Blue Ridge Parkway and single lane closures on U.S. Highway 421 in the work zone below the bridge. The detour runs north to south, beginning at milepost 269.8 at the intersection with Phillips Gap Road, continuing to U.S. Route 221, and reentering the park at milepost 276.5 off of U.S. Highway 421. The full road closure is expected to be in place until late September, followed by single-lane closures until the target completion of this project in late spring 2027.

"Investing in bridge improvements along the Blue Ridge Parkway not only helps maintain safe and reliable access for the Blue Ridge Parkway's 16 million annual visitors and residents in gateway communities," said Superintendent Tracy Swartout, "it also preserves quality experiences for travelers who enjoy the beauty and majesty of vistas along this National Historic Landmark."

Critical repairs to Deep Gap Bridge will include:

• removing existing concrete overlay

• installing waterproofing membrane

• installing asphalt overlay

• repairing structural concrete

• replacing expansion joints

• replacing abutment face with service life design concrete

• sealing modification on manhole to minimize water intrusion

• resetting or replacing stone masonry

• making other drainage repairs

The Blue Ridge Parkway has an outstanding collection of over 170 bridges, which constitute some of the Parkway's most distinctive architectural features. The Parkway is one of the largest designed landscapes in the country, providing visitors with a wide variety of opportunities to experience southern Appalachian nature, history and culture.

The Parkway website and road status page are important planning tools that provide milepost by milepost status information daily with links to additional project information and detour maps.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America's most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.