At the heart of the issue is the fact that the majority of the road rehabilitation can only be done in the summer and fall, which is also the time that most visitors experience the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration have jointly developed alternatives for road rehabilitation based on the following criteria. The criteria will continue to guide future rehabilitation scenarios for the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

• Cost-effectively restore the Going-to-the-Sun Road while preserving the historic character, fabric, width, and significance.
• Restore the Going-to-the-Sun Road to a quality condition.
• Minimize effects on natural, cultural, and scenic resources.
• Provide a world-class visitor experience.
• Collaborate with others in exploring options that stimulate local and regional economic growth.

One of the major work elements is the repairing of the historically significant stone retaining walls along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The 1994 FHWA Retaining Wall Inventory and 1997 Update are the sources for the condition of these walls. Although the current information is accurate, the FHWA continues to update it as ongoing annual inspections are performed under what is termed the Glacier Wall Management Program. This program was started recognizing that the walls continue to deteriorate with time and additional repair needs must be continually identified and required.

Engineering studies have defined seven major work elements as needing to be performed to rehabilitate the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Only one of these work elements is the repair of the historic stone retaining walls. Other major work elements are the repair of stone masonry guard walls, removable guard walls in avalanche areas, outside lane deficiencies (slumping), drainage improvements, upgrading of turnouts & parking, and providing a new pavement structure.

Funding (approximately 5.1 million dollars) was programmed for emergency repairs during Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000. However, the funding does not cover the total wall repair currently estimated at 9.7 million dollars. Initially the preferred alternative for the rehabilitation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road was to undertake a fast-track construction effort. In that scenario, engineering analysis projected that four to six years would be needed for completion. The estimated cost would range between 70 and 80 million dollars based on 1999 dollars.

In the General Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement, the preferred alternative is to rehabilitate the Going-to-the-Sun Road, preserve its historic character and significance, complete the needed repairs before the road could fail, minimize impacts on natural resources, visitors, and local economy, and minimize the rehabilitation costs.

The 1999 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, redirected one million dollars of existing National Park Service funds for additional independent engineering and economic studies and the formulation of an advisory committee. The act states the engineering study would assess the best available technology to reduce costs and mitigate impacts. The economic analysis would take into account the economic impact of the road on the park and the surrounding communities. The citizen advisory committee has been formed with which the National Park Service will consult in making decisions regarding the rehabilitation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. MK Centennial, a world class Architectural and Engineering firm, has been hired to assist the Advisory Committee and the NPS in working on the Going-to-the Sun Road.

In order to make a sound decision, the National Park Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement based on the alternatives developed in the engineering study. Until additional studies can be completed, the National Park Service will continue its current program to perform only critical road repairs as necessary and within available funding to preserve the road and address safety concerns.