4:32 p.m. February 20, 2013
National Park awards contract for Newfound Gap Road repairs

GATLINBURG, TN -- The contract to repair the Newfound Gap Road landslide has been awarded to Phillips & Jordan, Inc. (P&J) of Robinsville, NC. The contract was awarded by Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) awarded for the submitted bid of $3,989,890.00 with a completion date set at May 15, 2013.

P&J will mobilize as early as Friday, February 22, 2013 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, 2013, up to a maximum of $500,000 offered jointly by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian (EBCI) and the National Park Service. The amount donated by the EBCI will apply to the first 14 days of the incentive period at the above rate. In addition to the monetary incentives, the contract also includes monetary disincentives. The contractor will be charged $18,000 per day past May 15, 2013 to help insure the project is completed on schedule.

A major landslide occurred on January 16, 2013 which caused the closure of Newfound Gap Road. The road will remain closed to thru traffic during the construction, but visitors are still able to access the park to Newfound Gap from the TN side and to Collins Creek Picnic Area from the Cherokee, NC entrance.

Published February 20, 2013

Related Articles:
• Contractors working hard to meet May 15 deadline for Newfound Gap Road repairs
• Newfound Gap Road landslide repair work to begin at a cost of up to $7.2 million
• National Park Service expects final assessment of Newfound Gap Road landslide later this week
• First assessment made of landslide on Newfound Gap Road
• Landslide causes indefinite closure of Newfound Gap Road