Newfound Gap Road repair contract awarded
From Staff Reports
The Federal Highway Administration has awarded a $3.9 million contract to repair the Newfound Gap Road landslide to Phillips & Jordan Inc., of Robbinsville, N.C.
The contract has a completion date set for May 15, according to a news release from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. P&J will mobilize as early as Friday to begin Phase 2 of the reconstruction project, which will include rebuilding the paved roadway and filling the area washed away during the landslide with crushed stone.
The design will allow for the drainage of water which will protect the road and park resources from future damage. The fill area will be naturally sloped and planted with native seed.
APAC–Atlantic, Harrison Division recently completed Phase 1 of the reconstruction project by developing an access road to the slide area, removing debris and stabilizing the slope above the work area.
The contract includes a monetary incentive of $18,000 per day to the selected contractor for each day of completion prior to May 15, up to a maximum of $500,000. The incentive was offered jointly by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian (EBCI) and the National Park Service.
In addition to the monetary incentives, the contract also includes penalties. The contractor will be charged $18,000 per day past May 15 to help insure the project is completed on schedule.
Newfound Gap Road will remain closed to through traffic during the construction, but visitors are still able to access the park to Newfound Gap from the Tennessee side and to Collins Creek Picnic Area from the Cherokee, N.C., entrance.
