Single-Lane Closures Planned on the Gatlinburg Spur Sept. 14–30 for Storm Repairs and Utility Work

Visitors heading into Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge should plan extra time in the second half of September. Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced on Sept. 10 that a series of single-lane closures will affect the Gatlinburg Spur from Sept. 14 through Sept. 30.

The schedule

• Sept. 14–17, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: A single southbound lane will be closed between the Gatlinburg Welcome Center and the Gatlinburg city limit for storm-damage repairs. Crews will stabilize the roadside, replace concrete curbs and add drainage.
• Sept. 14–16, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Shoulder closures on the north and southbound acceleration ramps near Huskey Grove Bridge, for utility surveys tied to future construction.
• Sept. 21–30, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Single-lane closures in both directions near Huskey Grove Bridge for utility work. Crews will start in the southbound lanes and then shift to the northbound lanes, which will affect the tunnel. Work ends at noon on Sept. 25, and there is no weekend work.

Helicopter flights near LeConte Lodge

Separately, helicopters will remove debris from the demolished LeConte Lodge recreation building from Sept. 14 through Sept. 18, roughly 9 a.m. to noon. Drivers on Newfound Gap Road near Oconaluftee Overlook may see short delays, and LeConte Lodge will be closed to hikers during flight windows.

Why it matters

The Spur is a four-lane divided road of about 4.2 miles connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and is part of the Foothills Parkway. It carries an average of about 40,000 vehicles a day in summer. The park advises drivers to expect delays and use extra caution. For live information, check the park's road and construction conditions page or call (865) 436-1200.

Source: National Park Service news release, Sept. 10, 2026.