Update on Road Projects in Olympic National Park

Date: October 22, 2010
Contact: Dave Reynolds, 360-565-2985

Road repairs continue this week at locations throughout Olympic National Park, and several projects have already been completed.

Elwha Valley, Olympic Hot Springs Road – Construction crews have rebuilt a section of Olympic Hot Springs Road and repaired damage from the slide that occurred last winter between Altair Campground and Glines Canyon Dam. Because of heavy rains forecasted over the next few days, the road will remain closed above the campground through the weekend. Pavement work will begin early next week. The Olympic Hot Springs Road and the Boulder Creek trail will reopen to motorists and hikers once paving is completed.

Construction on a bypass lane at the Elwha Valley entrance station will begin next week, immediately following completion of pavement work on Olympic Hot Springs Road. The bypass will provide streamlined access for construction traffic associated with removal of Glines Canyon Dam, scheduled to begin next year. No closures are anticipated, but some single-lane traffic may be necessary to safely accommodate work conducted near the existing road.

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. 

Preparatory work for the placement of a culvert at Milepost 15.5 continues. The parking area and turnout were re-paved October 22, and both traffic lanes will be paved next week. Some single-lane traffic will be required, with possible delays of five minutes or less.

Repairs to the Staircase, Upper Queets and North Shore Quinault roads have been completed. Weather permitting, each of these roads will remain open to vehicle traffic throughout the winter.

Erick Ammon, Inc., based in Silverdale, Washington and Anderson, California, is the contractor for the nearly $2 million, multi-project contract. Port Angeles-based Bruch and Bruch Construction, Inc. and Northwest Rock, Inc. of Hoquiam are subcontractors on the contract.

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.