Sevier County officials warn Newfound Gap Road closure could hurt tourism; National Park cites permitting delays
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Summary
Sevier County leaders told commissioners Aug. 18 that the closure of US 411/Newfound Gap Road could worsen tourism declines this fall; National Park officials said permitting from the Army Corps and EPA is delaying repairs and estimated reopening "around October 1st."
Sevier County officials cautioned Aug. 18 that the closure of US 411/Newfound Gap Road could compound tourism losses this fall as the county already faces a small decline in lodging tax receipts.
Chairman and Mayor Larry Waters told the board that county and city officials from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pittman Center, along with the Chief of the Cherokee Nation, met recently with National Park Service staff about the closure and its likely impact on traffic and visitors. National Park Interim Superintendent Charles Sellars told officials that permitting from the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA was required before repair work could proceed and said the road "would be open around October 1st" if permitting and paperwork move on a faster timetable.
Waters and other local officials said they and municipal partners have offered resources to accelerate the work and that Gatlinburg's mayor had contacted U.S. Sen. Blackburn and the federal Interior Secretary to request help. According to the meeting minutes, Blackburn's office responded that she would assist in efforts to speed the project.
The discussion came as Director of Tourism Mrs. Atchley reported a modest year-over-year decline in lodging tax revenues. Atchley said the county's lodging tax was down about 4.2% compared with the previous year but—on a brief review of the newly completed report—estimated the county's total decline for the year was closer to "maybe a percent," and that Sevier County remained above the national average cited by her office. Tourism staff said they are increasing advertising to attract new visitors and regain market share.
No formal action was recorded specifically tied to the road closure; the minutes show the board received the reports and recorded the exchange with National Park officials. The extent and timing of repairs will depend on federal permitting and any subsequent work schedules issued by the National Park Service.