Backed with $2.4 million included for the “high-priority” project in the federal transportation bill passed last week by Congress, the state plans to “bypass the bypass” with a new, 18 ...

The section of the Gatlinburg Bypass is scheduled to close from 8 p.m. Aug. 21 until 8 p.m. Aug. 25, according to the National Park Service. Crews will be installing a new bridge deck.

McKelvey said the bypass was supposed to be “an alternative to the existing coastal road.” “Now this administration has said, ‘No, this is your new road. Charge ahead,’ ” he said.