Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 12, 1994 TAG: 9401120190
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway remain covered with ice and closed to traffic.
After all, though, the scenic parkway never was intended to be heavily traveled during the winter, Ranger Richard Morefield says.
Where gates are available to stop traffic, they were shut on Dec. 20 and not reopened because of 8 to 10 inches of ice packed on the roadway.
Not all areas have gates, but travel is still extremely hazardous. Park authorities cannot place gates on stretches of the roadway where private roads intersect.
"If you've got 8 to 10 inches of ice, a snowplow is not very effective," Morefield said Tuesday.
About 50 trees that fell during an ice storm also are clogging the parkway between U.S. 460 and Virginia 43, an entrance road to the Peaks of Otter.
Those traveling to the peaks from Roanoke are advised to drive up Interstate 81 and take Virginia 43 at Buchanan to the peaks.
The parkway is required to plow snow on a 10-mile stretch between Virginia 43 and a radar station on Apple Orchard Mountain. The Peaks of Otter lie in between.
While the snow is removed from the parkway at the peaks, only two small stretches of the highway near metropolitan areas are clear for travel. One is in Asheville, N.C., and the other near Roanoke.
The parkway reopened between U.S. 460 and U.S. 220 on Monday afternoon.
Part of the problem with snow removal is that parkway crews can work only eight hours a day because of budget constraints, Morefield said.
The bad news for travelers is good news for winter sports enthusiasts, who can take advantage of stalled traffic to use their skis and snowmobiles.
Morefield said designated parking areas have been established near the parkway's intersections with U.S. 220 and U.S. 221 to allow access to the parkway.
With fewer cars around, the ranger's job becomes a little easier.
"We haven't had any major accidents," Morefield said.
by CNB