Blue Ridge Parkway offers road project reminders for the 2025 visitor season
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PARKWAY-WIDE, NC/VA – As the summer season gets into full swing, National Park Service officials remind Blue Ridge Parkway visitors and neighbors that there’s much to enjoy on the Parkway this season. With multiple projects underway along the historic, 469-mile route, most Parkway miles are currently open for travel and recreation, with more areas expected to open across the summer and fall.
Maintaining the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the largest designed landscapes in the country, is a complex and continuous undertaking. In addition to a limited construction season in many high elevation areas along the route, park managers prioritize visitor access and protecting the character defining features of the historic route when planning road maintenance and repair projects.
The best source for up-to-date detour maps, daily road status information, facility schedules and links to updated project information is the Parkway’s website and alerts and conditions page. Online tools to aid in planning a Parkway visit include up-to-date alerts to inform visitors of project locations, as well as a variety of maps indicating closures and detour routes. By using these resources and planning ahead, travelers can minimize disruptions to their Parkway visit.
During the 2025 seasons, visitors can expect road maintenance and repair projects in the following areas:
Milepost 97 – 121 (GAOA-funded*), in the Roanoke, Virginia area
What’s happening: Road and pavement reconstruction
What to expect: 10-mile detour around milepost 95.9 at Montvale Overlook (south of Peaks of Otter) to milepost 106, near U.S. Route 460.
Milepost 121 to 143, in the areas between Roanoke, VA/Rte 220 and Pine Spur
What’s happening: Pavement preservation resurfacing
What to expect: Single-lane traffic control with reduced speeds. Bicyclists and motorcyclists are advised to find alternative routes while pavement preservation work is curing due to hazardous conditions from loose gravel. Work will conclude prior to October.
Milepost 223.8, 224.7, 224.9, and 227.5, in Alleghany County, North Carolina
What’s happening: Replacement of three concrete bridge decks, railing systems and rehabilitation of stone masonry and one Helene landslide repair.
What to Expect: A signed detour in place via NC18 from milepost 221.8 to 230. Work is expected to be complete by late summer.
Milepost 248.1 – 249.3 (GAOA-funded*), near Laurel Springs, North Carolina
What’s happening: Full replacement of the Laurel Fork Bridge.
What to Expect: Milepost 248.1 to 249.3 is closed to all activity (cars, bicycles and hikers) to ensure the safety of Parkway visitors and staff during construction. Continuous access to Doughton Park recreation area and The Bluffs restaurant is available from the north at US21. Mountains to Sea Trail users should anticipate an approximately 200-yard closure at the base of the bridge, at which point trail users should follow the fence line around the project site. Construction is expected to be complete by fall 2025.
Various locations between Milepost 241.1– 276.4 (GAOA-funded*), near Sparta/Doughton Park
What’s happening: Repaving of the mainline motor route and repair/replacement of infrastructure.
What to Expect & Detours: Construction includes phased closures with continuous access to Doughton Park recreation area and The Bluffs restaurant. As of June 4, 2025, access to these areas is from the north, using US21. Detour signs will direct visitors around active construction areas.
NOTE: Full road rehabilitation and associated closures on the mainline road from Blowing Rock to Beacon Heights are now scheduled to take place in 2026. Project work will continue this year in overlooks along this corridor, and park visitors may experience intermittent one-lane traffic control.
Milepost 224.9 – 421.8, Multiple Helene recovery projects progressing
What’s Happening: Repair and stabilization of 12 landslides
What to Expect & Detours: While significant work is needed to address all Parkway damage due to Hurricane Helene, the NPS has begun roadway repairs at twelve of over 50 landslide locations to restore and stabilize the road, remove remaining debris, and repair guardrails near critical transportation networks. Target dates for completion and road reopening for the projects listed here range from late summer through early fall. Initial project locations include (from north to south):
- Milepost 224.9, north of Doughton Park
- Milepost 284, Boone, NC, vicinity
- Milepost 306.8, south of Beacon Heights
- Milepost 342-343, near Spruce Pine, NC
- Milepost 375.6, near Weaverville, NC, at Bull Gap
- Milepost 380.5, north of Asheville, NC, near Haw Creek
- Milepost 401.6, north of Mt. Pisgah
- Milepost 421.8, Waynesville, NC, vicinity.
The Parkway’s unique design, including steep grades, limited sight distances, and beautiful built-in distractions also means drivers must respect closures and pay extra attention while navigating the route, especially during summer storms. Helpful driving, motorcycle, and hiking safety information is also available on the Parkway’s website.
