Goshen Creek detours:

Local section of parkway

could close until 2009
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

A Blue Ridge Parkway project could lead to extended detours for motorists in the latter half of the year.

Goshen Creek Bridge, located about 5 miles north of the intersection with U.S. 321 at milepost 286, will undergo rehabilitation this spring and the work could continue until 2009.

Alan Hollister, who oversees federal highways projects for the parkway, said the bridge’s structure will remain intact but the road surface and deck will be replaced and the bridge rails and steel will be repainted.

The $2 million contract was awarded to Taylor & Murphy Construction Company of Asheville. Work could begin as early as March 1, though it’s possible it won’t start until April 1.

Hollister said signs notifying of the pending detour will be placed on the parkway this week, though the closures won’t occur until the work begins. The detour will route parkway travelers from Aho Gap to the Bamboo section.

“That section of the parkway could be closed for two seasons,” Hollister said.

“We hope to open in December, but it depends on the progress of the contractor.”

According to the parkway’s road information hotline, the only sections of the road in North Carolina that are open are from milepost 234 to 305 near Grandfather Mountain, milepost 344 to 355 near Mount Mitchell, and milepost 376 to 394 near the French Broad River. For updated parkway road conditions and closings, call (828) 298-0398.