Although work began last December, Monday was the first day the road was closed to the public.
According to the federal Department of Transportation, the funding shortfall is a result of U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., blocking legislation last week that would have provided funding for unemployment benefits, COBRA health coverage and the Highway Trust Fund.
Without funding for the Highway Trust Fund, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood ordered unpaid furloughs for 2,000 federal employees, including inspectors who oversee construction projects on federal properties. Without federal inspectors, road projects such as the Cades Cove Loop Road rehabilitation project must stop.
Nancy Gray, spokeswoman for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, said work on the loop road came to a halt at noon yesterday.
"We're in a wait-and-see mode as far as what impact this will have on the project" she said.
You can read the full story, including all the political bickering by clicking here.
Jeff
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