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Contact: Mount Rainier Press Information Line, 360-569-6510
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) are seeking public feedback on options to rehabilitate or replace the Fryingpan Creek Bridge located on the road to Sunrise at Mount Rainier National Park.
Fryingpan Creek Bridge is located approximately 3 miles west of the White River Entrance and Ranger Station. The bridge is rated as of “major” concern in the most recent FHWA Bridge Inspection Report. The Fryingpan Creek Bridge remains safe for continued use at reduced loads and with frequent inspections, however extensive rehabilitation or replacement is necessary to ensure continued vehicular access to this popular area within Mount Rainier National Park.
A web presentation with information about the project area and the preliminary options for management is available on the project website. Public feedback can be provided through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/bridgeoptions2022 from March 9 – April 9, 2022. The NPS will consider comments to help inform which options are carried forward for further design and analysis to support agency decision-making.
A virtual public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, 2022, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Staff from the NPS and FHWA will provide information about the bridge rehabilitation and replacement options and be available to answer questions. This meeting will be recorded and posted to the project website following the meeting. A link to join the meeting will be posted to the project website in advance.
“We encourage anyone who is interested in the proposed changes to Fryingpan Creek Bridge or access to the Sunrise or White River areas of the park to share their comments on the preliminary options,” said Greg Dudgeon, the park superintendent. “This historic bridge is a critical piece of park infrastructure, and it needs work to ensure sustainable access into the future.”
The park anticipates that an environmental assessment will be prepared to document the analysis of the proposed rehabilitation or replacement of the Fryingpan Creek Bridge. This report will be provided for public review and comment this winter to help inform agency decision-making.
For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/mora.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
Last updated: March 9, 2022