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Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005
A major road construction contract, totaling close to $2 million, was issued late last week to Erick Ammon, Inc. of Silverdale, Washington and Anderson, California. Many park roads, from Staircase to Quinault, will undergo repairs in the coming weeks and months. "We are very pleased to have these many important projects underway, and are pleased to see Peninsula-based contractors involved," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. "We also recognize the inconvenience this work may represent to some of our October visitors, and we ask the public for their understanding and patience." Port Angeles-based Bruch and Bruch Construction, Inc. and Northwest Rock, Inc. of Hoquiam are subcontractors on this multi-project contract. Elwha Valley, Olympic Hot Springs Road – The Olympic Hot Springs Road above Altair Campground will be closed for three consecutive weeks, beginning Monday, October 4 through Friday, October 22. Construction crews will repair damage from a slide that occurred last winter near the Glines Canyon Dam powerhouse, between the Altair Campground and Glines Canyon Dam. The road is expected to open to its terminus at the Boulder Creek trailhead on Saturday, October 23. The Boulder Creek Trail will also open to hikers at that time. Additional work on the trail, including bridge placement, is scheduled for next summer. Construction of a bypass lane at the Elwha Entrance Station will begin in late October; no closures or delays are expected. The bypass lane will provide streamlined access for construction traffic associated with removal of the Glines Canyon Dam, scheduled to begin September 2011. Lake Mills Reservoir Area – Sediment management work on the Lake Mills delta has been completed and the Upper Lake Mills Trail, accessed from the Whiskey Bend Road, has reopened. Lake Mills remains inaccessible to boaters, however, as the water level in the Lake Mills reservoir was dropped five feet during the project, rendering the boat launch unusable until higher levels are restored. Logs and other debris from the project also present a hazard to boaters at this time. Park staff will closely monitor both lake and debris levels and will open the lake to boating when it is safe to do so, once the Olympic Hot Springs Road repairs are completed. The West Lake Mills Trail will reopen on October 23. Deer Park Road – The Deer Park Road will close for five days from Monday, October 4 through Friday, October 8 to allow contractors to make repairs to the narrow gravel road before snow fall. The road will reopen on Saturday, October 9 and will close for the season as scheduled on Monday, October 18. Hurricane Ridge Road – Several repair projects along the popular Hurricane Ridge Road are scheduled for this fall. The road will remain open, but short delays are possible. Staircase Road – Contractors will perform maintenance on the Staircase entrance road and campground roads during the first two weeks of October; the road will remain open, but short delays are possible. The campground will remain open. The Staircase Road will remain open to vehicle access throughout the coming winter season; the campground will also remain open with pit toilets and no running water. Upper Queets Road – Gravel will be placed and graded during the week of October 4 through 8; the road will remain open but short delays are possible. North Shore Quinault Road – Contractors will perform maintenance on the North Shore Quinault Road during the first three weeks of October; the road will remain open, but short delays are possible. For information about enjoying Olympic National Park in the autumn, visitors should consult the park's website at www.nps.gov/olym or call the Olympic National Park Visitor Center at 360-565-3130. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015