After more than a year of closures following Hurricane Helene, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina is steadily moving toward a long-awaited full reopening by the end of 2026 — offering renewed optimism for travelers and the small towns that depend on tourism.
Today, only about 35 miles of the parkway remain closed, primarily between Linville Gorge and Mount Mitchell State Park. Construction is already underway across all remaining sections.
“All of those projects are awarded. All of those projects are in construction as we speak,” Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout said during a March 6 update to the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, according to Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR).
Swartout called the progress “the best news ever.”
Crews are working to complete road repairs by the end of this year, though drivers should expect temporary slowdowns.
“You’re going to see some traffic,” Swartout said, according to BPR. “And you might even have to slow down on the Parkway, which I know some people don't want to do. But slowing down on the Parkway, especially right now, is a good thing.”
The storm’s impact has been staggering, with an estimated $1.7 billion in damage to the parkway, BPR reported. While the physical repairs are significant, the human toll has been profound.
Local businesses, especially in tourism-dependent towns, have struggled through the prolonged closure.
“It’s definitely been the worst year we’ve had in business ever,” Claudia Honeycutt, a shop owner in Burnsville, told ABC News Channel 9.
In response, communities are finding creative ways to adapt and invite visitors back.
“What we’re creating is called Detours of Discovery,” Rita Larkin, chief communications officer for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, told ABC News Channel 9, describing efforts to guide travelers along alternate scenic routes while supporting local economies.
Tourism leaders are also promoting regional experiences such as the “Mayland Meander,” which highlights destinations across Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery counties.
“Bare Dark Sky Observatory is a wonderful spot,” Sue Wasserman, director of Yancey County’s Tourism Development Authority, told the outlet.
Full restoration of the parkway is expected by the end of the year, with additional projects planned for trail repair, debris removal, and upgraded visitor facilities.
Zeale Media has produced two episodes of its show, Forgotten USA, on the impact of Hurricane Helene in the mountain region of North Carolina. The “Appalachia Strong” episodes highlight the storm’s devastating impacts on the people of this region and their resilience.
WATCH: Forgotten USA — Appalachia Strong Part 1