The National Park Service is moving ahead with plans to repave U.S. 441 from the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park outside Cherokee for 6.5 miles into the park.

The road is badly deteriorated with numerous potholes, cracks, large chipped and rutted areas and swaths where the surface layer of pavement is simply missing.

The route is the only main artery through the park and connects the tourism destinations of Cherokee and Gatlinburg, prompting concerns from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the tourism business owners over whether traffic would be blocked.

In response, the park service is placing tough restrictions on the contractor doing the paving work dictating when and how they can do the work.

“We will avoid impeding traffic flow back and forth between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, which of course is a big business concern on both ends,” said Bob Miller, spokesperson for the park.

There will be no lane closures during the day from June 15 to Aug. 15. There will no work period during the month of October. And there will be no work on weekends — defined as noon Friday through 8 a.m. Monday — year-round.

As a result, however, the project is expected to cost $10 million and could take up to 18 months. Contractors will have to pay laborers more to work at night and work flow will be hampered by the scheduling restrictions.

“We are doing a lot of things in the interest of maintaining traffic flow that is reflected in the price. That’s why it will take as long as it does and cost as much as it does,” Miller said. Another factor in the cost is that distance asphalt will be hauled. The closest asphalt plant is in Sylva.

The work also includes redoing several intersections along the road at campgrounds, picnic areas, the visitor center and the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. Currently, some intersections require motorists to pull out in blind curves. Some intersections will receive a turn lane and curve straightening.