Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) US 441 / Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now open 24 hours a day.

The park is lifting the overnight road closure with the help of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Government and police agencies in Sevier County and the Sevier County Government who will assist the park in turning around commercial vehicles at checkpoints on both sides of US 441 overnight.

The park continues to see an influx of illegal, large commercial vehicles attempting to travel the road; the park has turned away 173 commercial vehicles over five days.

Commercial vehicles are prohibited and will be stopped and turned around at checkpoints. They may be subject to a federal misdemeanor violation notice and fine.