Glacier Point Road Rehabilitation - 2021 and 2022

 

Glacier Point Road will be closed to all traffic in 2021 to rehabilitate and improve the road. The only access to Glacier Point will be via the Four Mile, Panorama, and Pohono Trails, all of which are strenuous hikes. There will be 30-minute delays in 2022.

The existing roadway was completed in 1936, replacing the original wagon road built in 1882. This area attracts high volumes of traffic year-round because it provides access to Bridalveil Creek Campground, Glacier Point, the Badger Pass Ski Area, and numerous trailheads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What road closures will take place?

Construction will take place from spring through fall in 2021 and 2022, unless unforeseen weather extends the project. There will be a full road closure from spring through fall 2021 and 30-minute delays in 2022.

What work will take place with this project?

In addition to pulverizing and paving the entire road from Badger Pass to Glacier Point, intensive road repair would take place in the following key areas:

• Repair curves on the road leading down to Glacier Point. This road segment contains steep and narrow hairpin curves that drop 600 feet in elevation in about 1.6 miles. Currently large vehicles cross the double-yellow centerline to navigate the curves.
• Address safety hazards at the scenic overlook viewing the Clark Range by improving the pullout.
• Repair road areas west of Summit Meadow to prevent the continued settlement of the roadway.
• Pave the overflow parking area at the Sentinel Dome trailhead. Current off pavement parking is damaging fragile resources in this high-elevation habitat. This parking area will continue to accommodate the same number of vehicles. Additionally, new accessible vault toilets will be installed at the parking area.
• Formalize the McGurk Meadow Trailhead parking area to increase safety.
• Repave the Glacier Point parking area. Additionally, two new concrete staircases will be built to connect the upper and lower parking areas and one additional oversize vehicle space will be created.

Why does the road need to be closed?

If the road is not closed completely the first year, it could take an extra year to complete the project, with significant extra cost. Keeping the road open would also jeopardize visitor and worker safety, as the public would traverse narrow roads with steep drop-offs and other hazards. Contractors would complete the large safety repairs the first year, some of which require five-foot deep excavations across the road for thousands of linear feet. The park carefully considered other alternatives to avoid a complete closure the first year.

How will the road closure affect programming at Glacier Point?

There will be no Glacier Point interpretive programs or other special programs such as the symphony and Starry Sky Programs in 2021. All programs will resume in 2022.

Can I hike on the road during construction?

The Four Mile Trail, Pohono Trail, and Panorama Trail will remain open both years, though hikers must stay outside of work zones. Trailheads along the Glacier Point Road will be closed in 2021 and hikers must access trails from connecting trails and trailheads outside the Glacier Point Road corridor. All trails in the southern section of the park will remain open.

Can I bike along the road during construction?

Biking will not be allowed on the Glacier Point Road during construction to protect the safety of bicylists and workers.