Seven more miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway have reopened for 1st time since Helene

SPARTA, N.C. — The Blue Ridge Parkway opens another section of road as the region approaches a year after the devastating Hurricane Helene.

According to a social media post by the parkway, the road has reopened from milepost 241.1, just south of Doughton Park and The Bluffs restaurant, to milepost 248.1, at NC 18 near Laurel Springs.

Work continues from milepost 261.2 to 280.9 but is expected to be completed later in the fall. Detours route traffic onto US 221, US 421, and Old 421 S before accessing the parkway again near Parkway Elementary School.

The Blue Ridge Parkway said the repair and rehabilitation efforts are expected to conclude in the 2026 visitor season.

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