The closure of U.S. 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains due to the recent landslide is already hurting the economies of the tourist communities near the park boundaries. The longer it remains closed the greater the economic impact will be on the communities that rely on tourism dollars. Early estimates were that the repairs could possibly be completed by early summer.

To help combat this the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Eastern Band of Cherokee have joined forces to  offer up to $500,000 for the early completion of repairs to the highway. For each day of completion prior to May 15, the park and the Cherokee Band are offering $18,000 per day.

Currently, visitors can travel as far as Newfound Gap from the Tennessee side of the park and as far as Collins Creek Picnic Area from the Cherokee side.