Last updated: September 7, 2022
Article
Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park to be Rehabilitated through GAOA Funding
NPS / Matthew Outhier
Glacier Point Road, originally constructed in 1933, is one of the five major roads in Yosemite National Park. It provides the only vehicle access to visitor facilities at Glacier Point, Washburn Point, the Bridalveil Campground, communication facilities at Sentinel Dome, and major trailheads accessing the south-central portion of the park.
Glacier Point Road includes three of the highest accident prone road segments in the park and one of the highest accident prone intersections. To combat this, the National Park Service uses buses to reduce passenger vehicle traffic at peak periods, but are causing roadway wear equivalent to 5,000 automobiles.
Project at a Glance: This $37.1 million project will provide safe visitor access to Glacier Point, one of the most scenic views in the National Park Service. This project will also improve parking areas, rehabilitate Bridalveil Creek campground, restore deteriorated pavement on one of the park’s most publicly used roads, expand three high visitor-use parking areas, and define new pullouts and roadside curbing.
What are the Benefits: Rehabilitation of Glacier Point Road and the expansion of high-use parking areas will improve safety for park visitors and staff. The improved access route will provide safer and more enjoyable travel to Glacier Point. The increased bearing capacity of the road's pavement will protect this investment in park infrastructure. Coordination of this project with the Bridalveil Creek Campground GAOA project will eliminate having an additional year of campground closure.
Project Purpose and Goals
Ensuring safe and durable roads protects visitors while they explore areas of the park with more challenging terrain. This project updates the infrastructure surrounding Glacier Point Road to create safe opportunities for exploration and enjoyment of Yosemite National Park by:
- Replacing failed drainage structures and stabilize slide areas and eroded slopes
- Formalizing or remove some pullouts to improve safety and protect park resources
- Installing curbing west of Washburn Point to eliminate roadside parking that intrudes into travel lanes due to insufficient shoulder width
- Paving ditches to accommodate rain and snowmelt run-off
- Accommodating the projected increase in average daily traffic
- Increasing the bearing capacity of the pavement structure for RVs and NPS buses
- Eliminating over $39 million of deferred maintenance and repairs
- Installing two new ABAAS-compliant double vault toilets at the Sentinel Dome parking area
- Improving recreational access for persons with disabilities
- Eliminating an additional road closure during rehabilitation of the campground water lines that run under the road
- Formalizing parking areas with improved interpretive displays and clear access to the nearby trails and viewing areas
NPS / Matthew Outhier
Current Status
Contractor is working on drainage structures and walls, including those at Clarks Range View Overlook.