Snow, ice and more closures in the GSMNP

Snow and more ice prompted the Great Smoky Mountains national park to close even more roadways deemed unsafe because of winter conditions:

• Gatlinburg bypass section of the Foothills Parkway
• GSMNP entrance road in Cosby Tennessee
• GSMNP entrance road in Greenbrier Tennessee

Besides some trails accessible and the visitor center in the Sugarlands and the trails in the lower part of Cherokee Orchard Road in Gatlinburg or the parking area at the Townsend Wye, there is now no access to any part of the Great Smoky Mountains national park in Tennessee.

Anyone venturing into the park be prepaid for brutally cold weather with high's below freezing and in upper elevations below zero or at most single digits.

Alcoa Highway section closed due to gas leak

The Alcoa Highway Bypass from the Alcoa Highway and Hall Road split to the Louisville Road intersection was just closed by officials while the Alcoa Fire and Rescue Department and Atmos Energy are working together to repair the leak.

While new street lighting was being installed along the bypass by Alcoa Electric crews the accidentally cut into a gas line.

Officials have stated that at this time there is no estimated times the bypass will be reopened but there is no danger to anyone in the area.