The National Park Service is reminding truckers that commercial vehicles are prohibited on US 441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Violators will be subject to a citation as well as a fine of up to $5,000.
Newfound Gap Road is a two-lane road with steep continuous grades and tight curves. There are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over. US 441/Newfound Gap Road is not safe for large commercial vehicles.
Truck traffic has increased on US 441/Newfound Gap Road since Hurricane Helene caused massive damage to highways, other infrastructure, businesses and homes.
Since Oct. 2, the NPS has been staffing checkpoints 24 hours a day on either end of the road with the assistance of the law enforcement staffs of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Government and Sevier County (the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville and the Sevier County government). With their help, over 800 commercial vehicles have been turned away from US 441/Newfound Gap Road in that time.
Park staff have taken multiple actions to restrict access to the road, including staffing checkpoints, use of variable message signs, working with local communities to place signs outside the park, as well as strategically placed traffic cones and barrels to discourage commercial vehicles.
The NPS has responded to multiple incidents involving large commercial trucks. The include:
- Oct. 3. In one incident, a commercial car hauler crashed into a wall and down an embankment and in the other, a semi-truck’s brakes caught on fire. While responding to these incidents, eight semi-trucks drove past emergency responders.
- Oct. 5: An NPS Ranger came upon a commercial truck hauling a commercial car hauler trailer near milepost 13 that struck a vehicle traveling in the opposing lane of travel. Due to the length of the commercial trailer, it crossed over the center dividing line and struck the vehicle. The driver of the commercial vehicle was cited for operating a commercial vehicle on a restricted roadway.
- Oct. 13: On Roaring Fork Road Motor Nature Trail involving a semi-truck which became stuck overnight. The vehicle had to be towed out backwards on Oct. 14, and the driver was cited for operating a commercial vehicle on a restricted roadway.
Commercial vehicles are always prohibited on US 441/Newfound Gap Road and in all of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with the exception of the Spur). Drivers are encouraged to consult NCDOT and TNDOT routes before starting their trips, and not to rely on several mapping apps that are not specific to trucking purposwes.
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