TUPELO, Miss. — The National Park Service will reopen a 15-mile section of the Natchez Trace Parkway on August 3 and begin the next phase of a major road rehabilitation project, requiring a detour around a 24-mile section between state Highway 16 (milepost 135) and state Highway 19 (milepost 159.5).
As construction advances, the park will reopen the section between state Route 12 (milepost 165) and state Route 413 (milepost 180). Work on the 24-mile section between state Highway 16 and state Highway 19 is expected to continue through late 2026 as part of the three-phase rehabilitation effort, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2027.
Funded through a $100 million investment from the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in 2020, and a $50 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program, this project will improve roadway conditions, enhance visitor safety and preserve critical infrastructure along one of the nation’s most scenic historic routes.
“This project is Phase II of a three-phase, $150 million effort to rehabilitate 83 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway,” said Superintendent Wendy Ross. “This investment is modernizing a significant section of the Natchez Trace Parkway, reducing future maintenance needs and helping ensure a safer, more reliable driving experience for years to come.”
For the safety of workers and visitors, the park will detour traffic around the closure using a clearly marked alternate route. Motorists should expect slightly longer travel times and plan accordingly. Bicyclists traveling the parkway will need to arrange transportation around the closed section, as the detour route is not suitable for bicycle travel.
Construction work in this section will include full-depth roadway reconstruction, bridge repairs, drainage improvements and paving.
The National Park Service will continue to share updates throughout construction.
For more information, visit nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/road-and-site-status or follow the parkway on social media.
