Deal's Gap closed for 3 to 4 months.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Another board I read is reporting Hwy. 129 Deals Gap is closed by barricades on both ends. Not to open for 14 to 16 weeks while repairs are being made. Reported that since no emergency services can get there from the north the road is closed.

Raymond

[Mickey Runie]

I'm sure that'll be a major bummer for lots of folks.   

Me?   I'm ok with it as long as it reopens prior to Labor Day weekend.     Cause that's when we'll be there next.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Was down that way today and spoke with David Spotts (One of Killboys Photographers) and said there are 2 stories going around. As stated above and that it'll be open by April 1st. Time  will tell which is correct.  

[T-Bird]

David, I'm betting against the April 1st rumor......remember that is a federal hwy....

[dabull]

I'm hoping to go that way after Inzane, the long way home to Utah.

[LandElephant]

As I stated in another post yesterday,  I rode the Dragon around 6:00 pm and when I got to the bottom I had a chance to talk with the TNDOT employee guarding the barricade.  They were told the Dragon would be closed till August.  There was 378,000 tons of debris to clear, it is being done by government employees (we know that there is no fire in there a--) and if I-40 as a key indicator I would believe that Aug 1 is a reasonable time for completion.

Again take it for whatever you want.

Land Elephant

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

David, I'm betting against the April 1st rumor......remember that is a federal hwy....

Yeah, I agree. But a guy can hope. It is my playground they're tying up. Ruins my favorite loop from Tellico on the Cherohalla to Deals Gap, up the Dragon, across the FootHills Parkway and a back way home from there. David Spotts was hunting other places to be shooting bikers pics from in the event they aren"t back to the dragon for awhile. Dave

[alph]

To me it sounds like a federal conspiracy against motorcycles!  First speed limits, then helmets, now this!!