Henry Meyer, NPS Volunteer

Cones help warn motorists to drive slowly and use caution along the Hurricane Ridge Road this summer.

The Hurricane Ridge Road will be completely resurfaced and reconstructed this year, along with the Hurricane Ridge parking lot and numerous pullouts along the road.

Motorists should expect delays and allow extra time for travelling the 17-miles to and from Hurricane Ridge. Bicycles are prohibited from travelling on the road during the construction.

A general schedule of construction activities is shown below.

April 21 – May 4
Weather permitting, the road will be open Fridays through Sundays through May 4. The road will be closed Monday through Thursday. Bicycles will be permitted whenever the road is open.

During this time, the contractor will move equipment to the site and begin trenching alongside the road for the new conduits and associated utility vaults. Other preparatory and staging work will be accomplished.

May 5 – May 25
Beginning May 5 if weather allows, the road will be open daily, 24 hours a day. 

Also effective Monday, May 5 and continuing through mid-October, bicycles will be prohibited from using all sections of the road above the Heart O’ the Hills campground. 

Motorists should expect up to four miles of unpaved roadway during this time. On weekdays, delays of up to 30 minutes each way should be expected.  Weekend work is not scheduled at this time, but may be added at any time if needed.

Excavation beneath the road bed will begin during this time, allowing for installation of new sub-grade culverts and improved drainage under the road. 

May 26 – September 1
The road is scheduled to be open daily, 24 hours a day. 

Motorists should expect up to four miles of unpaved roadway. Estimated delays will be reduced to no more than 20 minutes each way on weekdays. Construction is not currently scheduled for the weekends during this period, but may be added at any time if needed. 

Some parking pullouts along the road may be inaccessible due to construction or equipment staging.

Excavation along the road bed will continue, along with rehabilitation of existing road surface.

September 2 – September 14
The road is scheduled to be open daily, 24 hours per day. 

Motorists should expect up to four miles of unpaved, gravel roadway and on weekdays and estimated delays of up to 30 minutes each way. 

September 15 – October 15
To accommodate paving, the road will likely be closed Mondays through Thursdays from September 15 through October 15. The road will remain open Fridays through Sundays. 

October 15 – November 15
Most active construction will be completed, although road striping and sign placement will continue throughout this final month of work. Weather and road conditions permitting, the road will be open daily and will reopen to bicycle use on October 16.