Pavement work may cause delays on park roads

Olympic National Park and Federal Highway Administration staff are working together to repair and improve pavement on roads, parking lots and campgrounds in the northern and eastern sections of Olympic National Park.

July 20, 2016 4:12 pm
Riders take a break at the Ride the Hurricane event in the summer of 2015. Work crews plan on some pavement patching on Hurricane Ridge Road this year
Riders take a break at the Ride the Hurricane event in the summer of 2015. Work crews plan on some pavement patching on Hurricane Ridge Road this year

Olympic National Park and Federal Highway Administration staff are working together to repair and improve pavement on roads, parking lots and campgrounds in the northern and eastern sections of Olympic National Park.

Intermountain Slurry Seal, Inc. of Reno, Nev., was awarded a $3.9 million contract by the Federal Highway Administration to complete the project, which will extend the life of asphalt pavement in the Sol Duc, Lake Crescent, Heart O’ the Hill and Hurricane Ridge areas.

The project will be completed in two phases and will occur on weekdays only, with the entire project completed by Oct. 7.

Phase I work, including crack sealing and pavement patching, began last week and continue through early August.

The slurry sealing process will take place throughout August and September.

Work will move from area to area each week, limiting travel impacts to only five consecutive days in each location. Roads will be reduced to one travel lane while the contractor is working and flaggers and pilot cars will be onsite to assist with traffic. Delays of up to 15 minutes should be expected.

“We apologize for the short-term inconveniences caused by this project, but look forward to improved conditions and an extended lifespan for park roads,” Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum said. “We ask for visitors’ patience and understanding as we complete this project.”

From July 11-15, crews worked to complete pavement patching along the Sol Duc Road and in the Sol Duc campground and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.

A timeline of remaining work scheduled during Phase I of the project is outlined below:

• July 18-22 — Pavement patching in Fairholme Campground, Camp David Jr. Road, Lake Crescent Lodge Area, Log Cabin Area

• July 25-29 — Pavement patching in Lake Crescent Lodge area, Heart O’the Hill Campground and Hurricane Ridge Road

• Aug. 1-5 and Aug. 8-12: Crack sealing along Sol Duc Road

Phase II work includes micro-surfacing pavement preservation, striping and new signage and will begin on Aug. 8. Schedule information about Phase II details will be released as it becomes available, park officials said.

For current road and travel information, go to www.nps.gov/olym or call the recorded Road and Weather Hotline at 565-3131.