Next Round of Spruce Railroad Trail Improvements to Begin September 19: Trail to Close from Lyre River Trailhead to the McPhee Tunnel

Date: September 2, 2016
Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005

A $1.2 million contract was recently awarded to Bruch and Bruch Construction of Port Angeles for the next phase of improvements to the Spruce Railroad Trail (SRRT) along the north shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. The work will include restoration of the 450-foot long McPhee Tunnel and other trail improvements to provide universal accessibility.

This phase of improvements will take place throughout the winter, with completion anticipated in spring 2017. Beginning Monday, September 19, the eastern half of the SRRT, from the Lyre River Trailhead to the west end of the McPhee Tunnel, will be closed for the duration of the project.

The western section of trail between the Camp David Jr. Road Trailhead and the west end of McPhee Tunnel will remain open.

This year's work is extensive and will include construction of an additional half-mile section of 12'-wide universally accessible trail, as well as restoration of the tunnel. At the tunnel, contractors will remove debris, stabilize nearby rock walls, build new entrance structures and facades and line the tunnel's interior walls. The contract also includes demolition and removal of an excess park-owned structure to allow for construction of a new 20 car parking lot with a horse trailer turn-around.

This is the fifth phase of a multi-year collaborative project to establish the entire 9.5 mile length of the SRRT as a universally accessible, multipurpose trail to be shared by hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and people traveling in wheelchairs. 

"Each phase of this project brings us closer to providing nearly ten miles of universally accessible trail along the beautiful north shore of Lake Crescent," said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Rachel Spector. "We appreciate our close collaboration with Clallam County and the Federal Highway Administration, as well as the dedicated work of our Olympic National Park staff."

Additional work to improve the SRRT is planned for late 2017 and 2018, with completion anticipated in late 2019.

The Spruce Railroad Trail follows the historic railroad grade of the Spruce Railroad, built in 1918 and abandoned in 1951. The SRRT is part of the 134 mile long Olympic Discovery Trail which will eventually connect Port Townsend to La Push.