Truck drivers slapped with fines up to $5000 for using US 441, National Park Service says

After multiple incidents involving large commercial trucks, the National Park Service (NPS) is warning truck drivers about costly fines for using US 441/Newfound Gap Road to try to get around hurricane-related road closures.

On October 17, the NPS issued a new warning to commercial vehicle drivers about using the prohibited US 441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Trucks are always prohibited on US 441, and truck drivers caught on the narrow, steep roadway are subject to fines of up to $5000, officials say.

As I-40 and I-26 remain closed at the North Carolina/Tennessee border due to damage from Hurricane Helene, a number of commercial truck drivers have attempted to use US 441 as a way to route between the two states.

Officials report multiple incidents involving large commercial vehicles in October:

October 3. In one incident, a commercial car hauler crashed into a wall and down an embankment and in the other, a semi-truck’s brakes caught on fire. While responding to these incidents, eight semi-trucks drove past emergency responders. 

October 5: An NPS Ranger came upon a commercial truck hauling a commercial car hauler trailer near milepost 13 that struck a vehicle traveling in the opposing lane of travel. Due to the length of the commercial trailer, it crossed over the center dividing line and struck the pedestrian vehicle. The driver of the commercial vehicle was cited for operating a commercial vehicle on a restricted roadway.  

October 13: On Roaring Fork Road Motor Nature Trail involving a semi-truck which became stuck overnight. The vehicle had to be towed out backwards on October 14, and the driver was cited for operating a commercial vehicle on a restricted roadway. 

The NPS says that 24 hour checkpoints have been maintained at both ends of the road and that over 800 commercial vehicles have been turned away since October 2. NPS has also deployed variable message signs and “strategically placed traffic cones and barrels to discourage commercial vehicles.”

“Newfound Gap Road is a two-lane road with steep continuous grades and tight curves. There are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over. US 441/Newfound Gap Road is not safe for large commercial vehicles,” park officials said in a news release.