Spur tunnel repairs begin
Tunnel repairs have begun on the northbound Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, with ongoing lane closures expected through April 7.
Concrete barriers placed along the center line of the tunnel allow crews to make repairs within the closed lane while allowing through traffic on the open lane. Drivers should proceed slowly and refrain from honking while traveling through the work zone. Closures will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the construction period.
Crews will replace drains, clean and paint the tunnel interior, replace sodium lights with new LED lights, install a new lighting control system on Huskey Grove Road and install a propane-powered generator for emergency backup. The works is funded through the Federal Highway Administration, which awarded a $10.3 million contract to Bryant’s Land Development of Burnsville. Work should fully complete by June 5, and the contract incentivizes Bryant’s with $10,000 per day for up to 45 days before April 7 to complete work requiring the lane closure early.