Cades Cove Loop Road To Open Early - April 24th 2010

Cades Cove Loop Road is to reopen on April 24th, which is a month earlier than expected. The road was projected to be closed three months, beginning March 1, for major work, including a repaving of the loop.

The $6.7 million redo of the popular 11-mile loop inside the Great Smoky Mountains National park was slated to be completed no later than May 21. Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson credited contractor APAC-Atlantic Inc. Harrison Division and the Federal Highway Administration for the quick completion of the large project.

To commemorate the reopening on Sunday morning, April 25, the park and the Friends of the Smokies are planning a one-time-only “Cades Cove Loop Lope,” which will offer pre-registered runners a choice of the full 11-mile loop or a 3.5 mile loop course. for more info check out this link. Cades Cove Loop Lope

The loop is usually limited to bicycles and pedestrians until 10 a.m. Saturday and Wednesday from May through September. The one-time closure on April 24 will be extended to noon.