Great American Outdoors Act Will Fund Rehabilitation Of 17-Miles Of Scenic Roadway

The RV Industry Association Government Affairs Team has worked with the Department of the Interior on significant projects that will positively impact RVers. A newly announced project in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will provide $31 million for much needed repairs to roads, bridges, overlooks and provide safe access to campgrounds, including Look Rock Campground. The team worked closely with Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Senator Lamar Alexander to secure the multi-million dollar investment into Look Rock Campground in 2018.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is using $31 million in funding from the Great American Outdoor Act (GAOA) to repave the Foothills Parkway West, from Chilhowee Lake to Walland. The 17-mile roadway provides recreational experiences for more than 700,000 visitors annually. The rehabilitation project will include a series of full-lane closures starting on March 14.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to make these much-needed repairs,” said Acting Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. “With increasing visitation and the completion of the adjacent section of the Foothills Parkway, this area is experiencing more use and more wear and tear. These funds will enable us to make critical improvements to keep the road safely open for access to one of the most scenic driving experiences in the Smokies.”

GAOA funding supports a focused effort to address the most critical maintenance needs in the Smokies and other national parks across the country. This project will reduce more than $25 million in deferred maintenance associated with the Parkway, support 400 jobs, and contribute $85.5 million to the nation’s economy.

Read the full article from the National Park Service here.