Wednesday, January 30, 2013
JANUARY 29TH SMOKIES WEBCAM TIME LAPSE
LOOK ROCK WEBCAM ON FOOTHILLS PARKWAY OVERLOOKING GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK....from before sunrise till after sunset Monday, January 29, 2013
http://www.outragegis.com/weather/img/animation/yesterday/LookRock.gif
http://www.outragegis.com/weather/img/animation/yesterday/LookRock.gif
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
SMOKIES LANDSLIDE UPDATE 1/29/2013
Great Smoky Mountains News Release Update
Contact: Molly Schroer, Molly_Schroer@nps.gov
Phone number: 865-436-1203
Date: January 29, 2013
Landslide Work Progressing
Work is progressing to repair the landslide which has closed a section of Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Two key steps are already underway to initiate the reconstruction of the road.
A contract has been awarded for the first phase of work to APAC –Atlantic, Harrison Division to develop an access road to the slide area, remove debris, and stabilize the slope above the work area. This phase is estimated to cost around $200,000 and will prepare the site for the second phase of work which will involve a complete reconstruction of the roadway. This first phase began on January 28, and is expected to be completed in a few weeks.
The contracting piece for the second phase, involving the actual road reconstruction, was initiated on Friday January 25, when Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) posted a pre-solicitation for qualified contractors with interest in repairing the landslide. The contract for this phase of work is estimated to cost between $3,000,000 and $7,000,000, and is expected to be awarded by mid-February. Final construction work will begin soon after.
The schedule of the road reconstruction will be determined by the information received in the solicitation package, but is anticipated to be complete by mid-May to early June. Newfound Gap Road will remain closed to thru traffic during the construction, but visitors are still able to access the park to Newfound Gap from the Tennessee side and to Smokemont Campground from the Cherokee entrance.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
NEW INFO ON GSMNP SLIDE AND ROAD
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Great Smoky Mountains News Release Update
Contact: Molly Schroer, Molly_Schroer@nps.gov
Phone number: 865-436-1203
Date: January 23, 2013
Field Survey on Landslide Completed
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have been working with the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) to assess damage to Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) as a result of a January 16 landslide. The FHWA has completed their field survey work, and are now in the initial stage of preparation work to reconstruct the 200 linear feet of road.
This first phase of work will include the stabilization of the slide, removal of landslide debris from the work area, and the completion of a path for construction vehicles to access the section of the slide below the roadway. The work is being coordinated by the FHWA and is expected to begin as early as next week.
While the preparation work is taking place, the design of the road repair is in the development process. The road will be reconstructed as a reinforced full slope roadway. The design will allow for the drainage of water which will protect the road and park resources from future damage. This second phase will begin when the initial site preparation work has been completed. A timeline of completion cannot be determined until the final design has been developed and approved.
“We recognize the importance of Newfound Gap Road to our neighboring communities in our tourism based economy,” said Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. “Therefore we are evaluating all reconstruction options to make sure the road work is completed in a timely but safe and efficient manner.”
The park is moving forward on re-vegetating the three acre debris field with native species to aid in sediment and erosion control. This measure will prevent run off from draining into the Beech Flats Prong stream located just below the slide area.
While the access from Gatlinburg to Cherokee will remained closed during the construction period, Newfound Gap Road has been opened from the Gatlinburg, TN entrance to Newfound Gap, and from Cherokee, NC entrance to Smokemont Campground. Visitors who want to sightsee and recreate in the park will still find opportunities through both entrances.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
MAJOR LANDSLIDE IN SMOKIES
Date: January 16, 2013, 5:40 pm
Update on Landslide on Newfound Gap Road
The first assessment of the landslide which occurred in Great Smoky Mountains National Park along Newfound Gap Road in North Carolina shows that the landslide is approximately 90,000 cubic yards of material or 350-400 feet. It is around the length of a football field and 45-50 feet deep. The slide is still active and an assessment team, made up of Park Staff and Federal Highways employees, observed debris continuing to fall.
The park still does not have an estimated time frame for the road to be open. Federal Highways and park staff are continuing to look at the site to assess options for repair and is hoping to have a rough estimate of a sometime in the next week. Inclement weather is expected over the next few days which may hinder the assessment team.
Further updates on the road condition will follow as details are determined.
Monday, January 7, 2013
LOOK ROCK webcam over time
Look Rock webcam along the Foothills Parkway, Blount County TN, a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These are shots over many days in late fall 2012 and early winter 2012-2013
http://youtu.be/dBeEcRQL_FQ
http://youtu.be/dBeEcRQL_FQ
Thursday, January 3, 2013
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