The National Park Service is reminding truckers that they are not allowed on the reopened roadway through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as they seek a route between storm-ravaged North Carolina and Tennessee.
Currently, damage from Hurricane Helene has left I-40 and I-26 connecting North Carolina to Tennessee impassible, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The roadways are expected to remain closed into 2025.
As truckers try to find viable routes through the area with these vital transportation corridors cut off, local authorities are warning that they’re still enforcing commercial vehicle restrictions.
On the morning of October 2, US 441/Newfound Gap Road reopened, offering a path between North Carolina and Tennessee — but for passenger vehicle drivers only.
The Great Smoky National Park Service issued a reminder to truckers to steer clear of US 441:
Reminder that commercial vehicles are always prohibited on US 441/Newfound Gap Road. US 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee is a steep two-lane winding road that presents safety concerns for all oversized commercial vehicles. Commercial vehicles will be turned away.
Reminder that commercial vehicles are always prohibited on US 441/Newfound Gap Road. US 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee is a steep two-lane winding road that presents safety concerns for all oversized commercial vehicles.
Commercial vehicles will be turned away. pic.twitter.com/Vi6ZtG5Lni
— GreatSmokyNPS (@GreatSmokyNPS) October 2, 2024
Truckers should also note that US 129 (SR 115) in Blount County, Tennessee — also known as “Tail of the Dragon” — might seem like a viable route between North Carolina and Tennessee, but commercial vehicles over 30 feet in length are banned from using the roadway.