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News Release Date: September 8, 2017 No further rock scaling activity will occur until the full closure on Monday. During the first planned four-hour delay for rock scaling work on Thursday, September 7 the slope was prepared to allow traffic through the area with temporary traffic signals for alternating single-lane traffic until the rock scaling resumes with the full closure next week. During the closure, Highway 101 eastbound from Forks will remain open up to the turn for Barnes Point where Lake Crescent Lodge, Storm King Information Station, NatureBridge, and the trailheads are located. Highway 101 westbound from Port Angeles will remain open up to mile marker 232/East Beach Road. Travelers to the western side of the peninsula can use SR 112 as an alternate route during the closure. “Public and worker safety is of utmost importance,” said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Lee Taylor. “As much as we regret the inconvenience, the closure of Highway 101 at Lake Crescent is necessary until the rock scaling work is complete.” Olympic National Park officials and project partners at the Federal Highway Administration made the decision to close Highway 101 in the rock scaling zone to all traffic for public safety. The full closure, including after work hours, will expedite the completion of rock scaling work and ensure the safety of the public until the scaling is complete. With additional crew and a waiver from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to increase work hours for rock scaling, the contractor expects to complete the scaling in four days or less. Construction work will continue during the closure on other portions of the project outside the rock scaling area and travelers on Highway 101 at Lake Crescent should continue to expect half-hour delays Monday through Friday during work hours. Weekday work hours through September 23 are restricted to two hours after sunrise to two hours before sunset for areas outside the rock scaling zone. Traveling in the morning before 8:30 am and after 5:45 pm may help travelers avoid the half-hour delays. Maps of the area and access information are available on the park website at www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/lake-crescent-highway-101-rehabilitation-2017-19.htm. East Beach Road Paving operations on East Beach Road are underway.
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Last updated: September 8, 2017