News Release

Mount Rainier National Park seeks public input on an environmental assessment to replace historic Fryingpan Creek Bridge

Date: April 5, 2023
Contact: Mount Rainier Press Information Line, 360-569-6510

ASHFORD, Wash. — The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is seeking public input to replace the historic Fryingpan Creek Bridge and address findings that were documented in a 2020 report identifying structural deficiencies. The bridge is vital to park operations, local economies and is essential to visitor use and enjoyment.  

The environmental assessment (EA) evaluates the impacts of replacing the existing bridge located in the northeast portion of the park along Sunrise Road. The bridge provides the only vehicular access from Mather Memorial Parkway (Highway 410) to the Sunrise Developed Area and White River Campground and needs to be replaced to provide for safe and sustainable public and administrative access. The Fryingpan Creek Bridge Replacement Project EA is available for review and comment through May 7, 2023, at the following link: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/FryingpanCreekBridgeEA.  

The EA evaluates three alternatives for Fryingpan Creek Bridge. Under the no-action alternative, the current management of Fryingpan Creek Bridge would continue with no changes. Under alternative B, identified as the NPS preferred alternative/proposed action, a new, longer, and wider permanent bridge would be constructed approximately fifty feet downstream from the existing bridge. Under alternative C, a new, wider, and longer bridge would be constructed on the existing alignment. A summary presentation is available on the project website. 

A virtual public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, 2023,from 4 pm to 5:30 pm (PDT). Staff from the NPS and FHWA will provide information about the project and be available to answer questions. Visit the project website for more information about the project alternatives, potential impacts to park resources, and to find a link to join the meeting. After the meeting, the NPS will post the meeting recording to the website.  

The NPS has prepared the EA and is seeking public review and comments under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The NPS will consider public comments in determining which alternative will be selected for implementation. Public input will be accepted through the project website. 

Please be aware that all comments, including personally identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. Although respondents may request that their comments and personal information are withheld from public review, the park cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. 

For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park’s website. 
 

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and @MountRainierNPS on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.