Construction begins on East Entrance road in Yellowstone, continues at Tower

Traffic in October moves along a single lane of the road between Syvlan Pass and Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park. A portion of the road washed away in May, and repairs are not expected to begin until summer 2012 at the earliest.
Ruffin Prevost/Yellowstone Gate file photo

Traffic  moves along a single lane of the road between Syvlan Pass and Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park. (Yellowstone Gate file photo/Ruffin Prevost).

From Staff Reports

New construction has begun on a section of the East Entrance road located near Lake Butte Overlook at the northern edge of Yellowstone Lake.

Much of the eastbound lane along the section of road at a point known as “Nine Mile,” between Lake Butte Overlook and Sedge Bay, was washed away in May 2011 during heavy spring rains and snowmelt.

A section of road in Yellowstone National Park near Tower Junction is being rebuilt this fall for the first time since 1939. (click to enlarge)

A section of road in Yellowstone National Park near Tower Junction is being rebuilt this fall for the first time since 1939. (click to enlarge)

Since then, concrete barricades have closed off the damaged eastbound lane and a temporary, automated traffic signal has routed alternating two-way travel through the remaining westbound lane with minor delays, typically of five minutes or less.

Reconstruction on the road is expected to be completed by the end of the season, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office.

Traffic will be guided through a short, one-lane section by a temporary traffic light.  Park officials said temporary road closures at nine mile may be a possibility, but are not expected.

Construction also continues on the road between Tower Fall and Roosevelt. No nighttime closures are in effect, but visitors could experience delays of up to a half an hour passing through the area.

The National Park Service plans to notify the public in advance if any road closures are implemented due to ongoing construction projects.

Visitors are encouraged to call or go online for the latest information on Yellowstone area roads and amenities.

Call 307-344-2117 for updated park road information or visit the Yellowstone website for specific closing dates.

Call 888-WYO-ROAD or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website for Wyoming roads outside the park. Call 800-226-7623 or the Montana Department of Transportation website for Montana roads outside the park.

Gateway community websites for Gardiner, Mont., West Yellowstone, Mont., Cody, Wyo., and Jackson, Wyo. have additional information.

Contact Yellowstone Gate at 307-213-9818 or info@yellowstonegate.com.

Comments are closed.