The road was fully reconstructed and resurfaced in 2010. This preventative pavement treatment will extend the service life of that asphalt. The full closure is necessary to allow trucks and paving equipment to move along the narrow, one-way road. 

While the contract duration is two months, the actual asphalt paving operation will occur during the three-week closure. Work also includes resurfacing the campground entrance road from Laurel Creek Road to the Cades Cove Campground and the parking area adjacent to the Cades Cove Campground Store. The campground, picnic area, campground store and horse stables will remain open and accessible throughout the duration of the paving project. 

The road will be closed to all motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and horseback riders from Tuesday, Sept. 7, to Monday, Sept. 27. 

Additionally, current roadwork along Forge Creek Road — which has been closed to all use since Nov. 2 to replace five bridges — has been extended, with the closure now expected to last through July 31 after it was initially to wrap up at the end of May. The full closure prevents all access — including foot, bike and horse — to the Henry Whitehead Place and Gregory Ridge, Gregory Bald and Hannah Mountain trailheads. Gregory Bald is accessible from trails outside the Cades Cove area, including Wolf Ridge Trail, Long Hungry Trail or a section of the Appalachian Trail.