News Release

Fishing Bridge to Indian Pond road reconstruction approved in Yellowstone

Date: September 13, 2017
Contact: Morgan Warthin, [phone]

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY –On September 8, 2017, Intermountain Regional Director Sue Masica approved a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on an environmental assessment (EA) recommended by Yellowstone National Park superintendent, Dan Wenk. The EA assessed plans to improve the road between Fishing Bridge and Indian Pond.

The park considered four alternatives in its EA. The approved action (Alternative B) includes improvements to a 3.6 mile segment of the East Entrance Road. Yellowstone selected this alternative in order to:

• Address safety concerns and improve vehicle access.
• Reconnect the wetlands of the Pelican Creek Drainage and allow the creek to naturally migrate within its floodplain.
• Provide better nature viewing opportunities along the road.
• Maintain the historic character of roads, bridges, and other historic resources in the project area.
• Minimize the impact to natural resources.
• Provide access for larger, modern vehicles.
• Minimize disruption to visitor access during construction.

The Federal Highway Administration will fund and oversee this project. Roadwork is expected to begin in spring 2018.

When the proposed project begins, construction delays would normally be limited to 30 minutes. A complete road closure late in the 2018 season (October 15 to November 7) would also likely occur.

The road will not temporarily close at night or for up to several days at a time.

For more information, review the EA and FONSI on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website.