Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — The National Park Service is accepting comments through Nov. 18 for the proposed construction of Foothills Parkway Section 8D in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The proposed project would extend the parkway approximately nine miles from Wears Valley to the Spur near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
The construction of this section of the Foothills Parkway would provide recreational opportunities, support tourism and improve transportation inside and outside the park.
The park obtained initial public input on the proposed Foothills Parkway Section 8D project, as well as a second project in the same vicinity (Metcalf Bottoms Access Improvements), during a civic engagement comment period from Sept. 30 through Oct. 31, 2021.
The concept of a parkway in Tennessee near GSMNP began in the 1930s. The NPS worked closely with Tennessee officials and park supporters to develop concepts for a scenic parkway.
Completed portions of Foothills Parkway now include the Spur and four other sections at either end of the 72-mile corridor. The western sections (8G, 8F and 8E) extend 33 continuous miles from Chilhowee to Wears Valley and the eastern section (8A) extends 6 miles from Cosby to I-40. Construction on the three middle sections (8B, 8C and 8D) has not begun.