Blue Ridge Parkway to undergo major restoration project with detours in place through 2026
Roanoke, Virginia – The Blue Ridge Parkway will soon begin a full road closure along a nine-mile stretch in Roanoke, Virginia, as part of an extensive $75 million rehabilitation project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). The closure will impact the scenic corridor from milepost 95.9 at Montvale Overlook to milepost 106 near U.S. Route 460, halting all access for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists through this section.
The long-anticipated project, jointly managed by the Federal Highway Administration, is moving from single-lane closures, which began last summer, to this full shutdown in order to accelerate the next phase of work. The closure is necessary to ensure public and crew safety as crews continue to carry out slope stabilization, road resurfacing, and repairs or replacements to drainage structures, curbs, shoulders, guardrails, stone walls, overlooks, pavement markings, and signage.
Detours and Hiking Impacts
To help motorists navigate around the closure, officials will set up a signed detour using Highway 43 through Bedford and Route 460 north of Vinton. Visitors planning to use the Appalachian Trail are advised to coordinate their drop-offs or pick-ups at Montvale Overlook or further north on the Parkway, since the closed section will be completely inaccessible.
For those traveling to Explore Park, near Roanoke, smaller rolling closures will also be implemented over the coming months between milepost 106 and milepost 121, near U.S. Route 220. These secondary closures are scheduled as part of the larger project timeline and will allow work to proceed in phases while still maintaining park accessibility whenever possible.
Restoring an Iconic Scenic Byway
“This effort is about preserving and enhancing one of America’s most treasured scenic roadways,” officials emphasized in the announcement. “The planned upgrades are long overdue and critical to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for the millions who visit each year.”
The Blue Ridge Parkway welcomed 16.7 million visitors in 2024, making it one of the most visited units in the National Park System. The GAOA-funded restoration is part of a broader investment of over $200 million allocated to the Parkway for similar projects designed to reduce a staggering backlog of maintenance needs.
Legacy Restoration Fund Backing Long-Term Improvements
The GAOA’s Legacy Restoration Fund, created through energy development revenues, delivers up to $1.3 billion annually for five years to the National Park Service for essential infrastructure projects. These funds enable long-term fixes and enhancements at parks across the country, focusing on sustainable repairs that ensure access, preservation, and enjoyment for future generations.
The road closure in Roanoke marks a major milestone in this restoration campaign, promising not only a smoother ride for future visitors but improved safety and environmental integrity across the Parkway corridor.
The expected completion date for the full project is Fall 2026, at which point the improved section from milepost 97 to 121 will reopen in its entirety. For travelers planning trips during the upcoming seasons, officials recommend checking for detour updates and status changes on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s official website, where road conditions are updated regularly.
For more information, including maps and updates, visit www.nps.gov/blri.
