Audio
Going-to-the-Sun Road: Triple Arches
Transcript
[Narration] Triple Arches is probably one of the most recognized features along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Built to span several large gaps in the mountainside, engineers had originally planned to create a large retaining wall and use huge amounts of fill to build up the roadbed. Designers came up with a more elegant solution by constructing a series of three arches to span the gaps. It is a reflection of the care and dedication evident throughout the original construction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Probably as you have been driving the road you really didn’t notice much of the bridges, guardrails, and structures along the way. That’s because the original designers of the road worked hard to create a road that blended with the environment, rather then competed with it. As you continue on, however, give them a second glance. Even simple culverts in many locations are beautiful creations constructed of the same multi-colored rock from the surrounding mountains.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of six National Historic Landmarks in the park and one of a very few roads in the country to make that list. Today there is a massive rehabilitation project in progress along the entire length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Engineers and contractors are working hard to ensure that the historic features of the road are maintained while creating a road that meets modern safety and traffic requirements. It’s a challenging job and will take several more years.
Description
Triple Arches is one of the most recognizable features along Going-to-the-Sun Road. An elegant solution to an early engineering problem, it has become a symbol of the care and dedication in the original construction of the road.
Duration
1 minute, 32 seconds
Credit
Glacier National Park
Date Created
08/05/2015
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