U.S. 129, also known as the Tail of The Dragon, has been temporarily closed due to a rockslide near the Foothills Parkway in the Great Smoky Mountains. The slide, which occurred on March 14, 2010, completely blocked U.S. 129 near the Chilhowee Darm in Blount County. Thankfully, federal, state and local officials in North Carolina and Tennessee have worked together to organize a plan to re-open US 129 from the south (Robbinsville). Motorcyclists and sports car enthusiast will have the opportunity to ride all 318 curves in the 11 miles again. Tennessee Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation will provide an area for turnaround since the road will not be open for through traffic.
The clean up contract was awarded on March 29, 2010 and work commenced on April 5, 2010. The rockslide project on U.S. 129 is estimated to be completed by July 31, 2010. However, Tennessee Department of Transportation is providing an incentive of $6,500 per day for the contractor to complete work and re-open the roadway before July 31, 2010. If the project is totally completed by July 1, 2010, the contractor will receive the full incentive of $195,000. Failure to complete the project and reopen the roadway by July 31 will result in a penalty of $6,500 per day until work is completed.
Visitors coming to North Carolina from the Maryville, Tenn., area have several alternatives. Visitors heading to the far western part of North Carolina should take the Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Byway, which runs from Tellico Plains, Tenn., to Robbinsville, N.C. Visitors who are going to the eastern Smokies may take U.S. 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Cherokee.
There are several other roads to test your skills against in addition to the Tail of the Dragon. The Cherohala Skyway winds up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee. The road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name “Chero…hala”. The Hellbender 28 features sweeping curves and drop offs, all lakeside in the Great Smoky Mountains. The 22-mile stretch is surrounded by water and dense, forested mountains.