If you were to go scuba diving in Fontana Lake, at the bottom you would find North Carolina State Highway 288, a road that use to lead from Bryson City to Swain County. This road was submerged by water around 1944 because of the Fontana Reservoir, a Dam that was built to help supply electricity to fuel World War II's efforts.
When Fontana Dam was built TVA, the State of NC, Swain County, and the Untied States Department of Interior (National Park Services) came to an agreement known as the Agreement of 1943.
This agreement states that Highway 288 would be replaced at a later date since it could not replace it during the current time of war.
Upon reading this document you will find that the goal was to have a road that goes around the "Park," to replace the underwater road. Now, 62 years later, there is a road that already borders the park, it is NC 28. Although this road is not directly on the border of the park it still allows transportation from Fontana to Bryson. Even though this road exists, discussion and planning are beginning again to see if the road should be built.
Honestly my gut tells me that having a new road would have too many environmental problems and ruin too many people's love for the secluded Smoky Mountains. When I research the possible solutions though, I can see positives to both sides. I am torn on the situation. With discussion of those who live in the area they seem torn as well.
I remember one thing though that steers me towards the view I will probably take after all the factors have been weighed. And that is if a road is to be built, that will create irreversible damage to the Great Smoky National Forest.
Click here to see a short video on campsite 90, a place that would be ruined by the NSR.
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