CANDLER, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Crews working to stabilize a damaged mountainside along the Blue Ridge Parkway have made significant progress at milepost 401.5 near the Ferrin Knob Tunnel, officials said.
The National Park Service shared recent photos showing the ongoing Helene repair project, which involves rebuilding the slope with a reinforced soil slope (RSS) system — an engineered method used multiple times in parkway history.
Crews first excavated the unstable area before reconstructing the slope using the RSS technique. The structural slope is then covered with topsoil, replanted with vegetation, and topped with a new pavement system.
The Helene project is one of several ongoing recovery efforts on the parkway following storm damage and erosion.
Repair and stabilization of 12 landslides
While significant work is needed to address all parkway damage caused by Helene, the NPS has begun roadway repairs at 12 of more than 50 landslide locations to restore and stabilize the road, remove remaining debris and repair guardrails near critical transportation networks. Target dates for completion and road reopening range from late summer through early fall.
Initial project locations include (from north to south):
- Milepost 224.9, north of Doughton Park
- Milepost 284, Boone, NC, vicinity
- Milepost 306.8, south of Beacon Heights
- Milepost 342-343, near Spruce Pine, NC
- Milepost 375.6, near Weaverville, NC, at Bull Gap
- Milepost 380.5, north of Asheville, NC, near Haw Creek
- Milepost 401.6, north of Mt. Pisgah
- Milepost 421.8, Waynesville, NC, vicinity.
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