LINVILLE FALLS, N.C. (828newsNOW) — One of the first major repair projects on the Blue Ridge Parkway following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has been completed in the High Country region of Western North Carolina.

On Monday, July 21, Blue Ridge Parkway officials announced that they had completed work on a 12-mile parkway segment which spans from milepost 305.2, near Beacon Heights and U.S. 221, to milepost 317.5, at U.S. 221 near Linville Falls, N.C. The opening is the first of multiple parkway projects expected to complete repairs in the coming months.

While the debris has been cleared off of the Blue Ridge Parkway segment, the Linville Falls campground, picnic area and visitor center remain closed from damage.

After Helene, parkway officials identified at least 57 landslides of varying complexity across nearly 200 miles of N.C. Work to restore the region began in the fall of 2024 and will continue in three phases.

Three phases of recovery

Phase 1:

The first wave of projects, including the Linville Falls opening, will address 12 repairs in eight geographic areas. Work on that dozen will continue to the fall of 2025, but once completed, over 48 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway will once again open to the public.

Phase 2:

Projects included in the second wave of projects will center around the region south of Linville Falls. These efforts will focus on 21 landslide areas, primarily located between mileposts 318.2 and 323.4, and are expected to be completed by the fall of 2026.

Phase 3:

Planning is underway for the third phase, which will tackle repairs to over 23 different sites between Little Switzerland and Mount Mitchell, primarily located between mileposts 336.7 and 351.9.

“This phased system provides both public access to newly opened areas as soon as possible and access to previously unreachable areas by contractors,” wrote parkway officials in a press release. “Parkway construction activity is complex and highly technical, including factors such as remoteness, challenging terrain and reduced construction seasons due to ice and winter weather at higher elevations.”

In the meantime…

Blue Ridge Parkway officials also remind the public that closed regions of the parkway remain under assessment. For safety reasons, the parkway asks that people continue to exercise patience and respect the remaining closures. In the meantime, visitors should be aware of work crews, heavy equipment and hiking hazards, such as debris, landslides and eroded sections of trail.

For visitors planning trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the National Park Service website for an extensive list of planning materials and travel information. Click here for more.

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