Reminder: Sun Road work starts this week
A red fox pup explores the woods not far from the Sun Road recently. (Chris Peterson photo)
Hungry Horse News
This summer promises to have plenty of road construction in and around Glacier National Park.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road will see utility work, which includes replacing sewer, electric and telephone lines from the foot of Lake McDonald to 1,000 feet west of Sprague Creek campground this year.
That means single lane closures with a traffic light during the day and a full closure at night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
That also mean motorists will not be able to enter the West Entrance before 6 a.m. as construction traffic will be using the road from Apgar to what’s known as the old baseball fields off the Sun Road.
That work was scheduled to start the evening of June 1 (today).
The section from the foot of Lake McDonald to just before the lodge will close completely on Oct.1. Work on the utilities will continue throughout the winter, with completion expected in May of next year.
The east side will still be open to Logan Pass before 6 a.m. But from Columbia Falls, it’s about a 2-1/2 hour drive just to the St. Mary entrance, nevermind going up the Sun Road to Logan Pass.
Logan Pass won’t open any earlier than June 27, the Park announced last week.
Other road construction, utilities and bridgework are planned as well.
The Inside North Fork Road will see bridgework over several creeks. That means single-lane closures beginning July 18 and full closures beginning Sept. 6. These closures primarily impact hiker and biker access between Logging and Camas Creek.
On the east side, the Lee Creek Bridge on Highway 17 will see work. Folks should expect single closures there.
Rising Sun will see utility work and the trailhead to Otokomi Lake will be blocked beginning Sept. 11.
The St. Mary Visitor Center will see work through the month of June, including replacement of a column and the roof on the bathroom.
At Two Medicine, the Appistoki Creek Bridge will see repairs. Expect single lane closures and a full closure on Sept. 6.
Outside the Park, more construction is planned for Highway 89. Folks should expect delays traveling to St. Mary.