National Park Service officials announced the upcoming, full closure of Roanoke River Bridge, at Milepost 114.7, on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a major rehabilitation project. The Roanoke River Overlook/Parking lot and trail access to the Roanoke River will be closed as well. MP 115/Explore Park to MP 121.4/Route 220 will remain open. Access to Explore Park will be available from the south via U.S. 220 at MP 121.4 and via Mill Mountain Parkway at MP 120. Alternative access will be available via Rutrough Road. The National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration identified this project as a priority in 2015, as part of the ongoing, multi-year road maintenance planning process for the Blue Ridge Parkway. This project includes concrete repairs to bridge piers, reconstruction and drainage repairs to approach areas, removal of the existing asphalt surface and waterproofing membrane, installation of new waterproofing membrane and asphalt surface, and repainting of the steel superstructure of the bridge. The closure is expected to begin on May 24th and be in place through the spring of 2022.
For more information on this closure please visit the Blue Ridge Parkway website at https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/news/roanoke-river-bridge-2021.htm