Hurricane Ridge Road Construction Update: Weekday Closure Scheduled for September and October

Date: September 4, 2008
Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005

With reconstruction, paving and storm damage repairs progressing on the Hurricane Ridge Road, the early fall construction schedule has been finalized.

The road will be closed to all traffic Monday through Thursday from September 15 through October 17 and will remain open Friday through Sunday during this time.  As work continues, updates will be provided and changes to this schedule will be released as soon as possible.

“The timeline for this project has been compressed from two years to only one short construction season,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.  “While we regret inconveniencing any of our visitors, we are committed to completing this project before winter.”

Work will not occur over the Labor Day weekend, but motorists should drive carefully through all construction zones.  When construction is underway, motorists may encounter delays of up to 40 – 50 minutes each way.  Flaggers and pilot cars will guide motorists through the active construction areas and temporary traffic signs and signals are installed for weekend and evening travel.  Bicycles are not permitted on the Hurricane Ridge Road during the construction project.

TheSwitchback Trail parking area, along with other parking areas along the road, will be closed whenever paving is underway.  Visitors should check at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center for current conditions. 

This $12 million road rehabilitation project is a partnership between the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration and local contractor Lakeside Industries.  When complete, the Hurricane Ridge Road will be completely resurfaced, along with the Hurricane Ridge parking lot and numerous pullouts and parking areas along the road.

The Hurricane Ridge Road was built in the late 1950s and was last resurfaced in 1979. 

For information on visiting Olympic National Park, visitors should check the park’s website or call the Olympic National Park Road and Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131.