Foothills Parkway, National parkway in Blount and Sevier Counties, United States
The Foothills Parkway is a mountain road crossing ridges in eastern Tennessee that offers views toward the Great Smoky Mountains. The completed sections wind across high ground and connect several observation areas where you can see valleys and distant mountain ranges.
Planning for this road began in 1944, and construction started in 1960, proceeding in phases over many decades. Different sections were completed at different times as funding and technical challenges in difficult mountain terrain slowed the work.
The road's naming reflects local places and shows how it connects communities with mountain terrain. Visitors notice how the route uses elevation changes to bring drivers closer to the natural surroundings.
The open sections can be driven year-round, with access from US 129 near Chilhowee Lake and US 321 at Walland. Visit during good weather when visibility and road conditions are best for enjoying the views.
Though the parkway as a project is over 70 years old, roughly 34 kilometers of the planned route still remains unbuilt, making it an unfinished undertaking. These missing sections are partly unresolved due to conservation concerns and partly due to funding questions.
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