Park Seeks Public Comments on Roadway Safety Improvements Project

Date: January 15, 2014
Contact: Danette Woo, 650 252-6107
Contact: David Moore, 760 252-6142

The National Park Service (NPS) is planning improvements to several sections of road in Mojave National Preserve.The purpose of the proposed project is to enhance public safety, reduce vehicular accidents, and improve the visitor experience by correcting existing road design deficiencies and conditions that endanger motorists in the Preserve.Numerous serious accidents occur every year on Preserve roads, often involving vehicle rollovers, injuries and fatalities.

The project proposes to modify the horizontal and vertical alignment of eight sections of roads and intersections within Mojave National Preserve. Elevations, grades, curves, and sight distances would be improved at three high accident locations on Kelbaker Road. The intersections at Kelbaker/Kelso-Cima Road and Kelso-Cima Road/Cima Road/Morning Star Mine Road would be redesigned and realigned to improve sight distances.Along Black Canyon Road, a dangerous curve would be re-graded to improve the super-elevation and reduce the likelihood of cars running off the road.Further along Black Canyon Road, the project would armor sections of the road that wash out during flood events. Similarly, two low water crossings along Cedar Canyon Road would be paved with asphalt to minimize flood damage to the road. The proposed repairs total an estimated 3.75 miles.

The park welcomes input during the public scoping phase of the project and invites interested parties to attend a public scoping meeting on Saturday, February 1, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Interagency Fire Center at Hole in the Wall, 1 Black Canyon Road, Essex, CA 92332.A project newsletter, containing additional information on the project, is available online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/moja-road-safety or at the Preserve's three visitor centers.Paper copies are also available upon request.For more information or to request a copy of the newsletter, you may contact Danette Woo at e-mail us or [phone].

Comments on the project will be accepted through February 15, 2014. They may be submitted online (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/moja-road-safety) or mailed to: National Park Service, Mojave Road Project (Attn: K. Cantwell), 333 Bush Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94104.