GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — Heads up, folks! Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) announced the beginning of a roadway rehabilitation project on North Park Road (US89/191/287) scheduled for August and September.
GTNP is working with the Federal Highway Administration and Western Federal Lands Highway Division to improve the road where it has been damaged by a series of landslides, focusing on the area approximately 7 miles north of Colter Bay and 11 miles south of the Yellowstone National Park boundary. According to the park, ground movement in the area has led to uneven road surface that requires patching almost every year and creates potential driving hazards.
“North Park Road is an important travel corridor for visitors and local communities, connecting Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks,” GTNP Superintendent Chip Jenkins said in the project announcement. “This project will create a smoother driving experience through an area that required frequent repairs. We appreciate visitors’ patience as crews complete the work.”
Crews will excavate and rebuild a section of the road about 500 feet in length to level out the road and “stabilize the slide area.” They will also install drainage, guardrail and signage improvements in an effort to create fewer needs for ongoing maintenance. Jackson Lake Overlook and Mudflats Overlook might be closed during construction.
Drivers heading between Jackson and Yellowstone can expect to see traffic reduced to one lane through the work zone. Starting on Monday, Aug. 3, delays of up to 15 minutes are anticipated between work hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting the following week, delays of up to one hour will be possible during work hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as work gets underway.
“Most work will be conducted at night to minimize daytime impacts on visitors,” GTNP’s announcement states. “Visitors are encouraged to plan extra travel time when using North Park Road.”
It’s a major construction summer for GTNP. Along with this project, the park is revamping the Moose entrance station as well as popular visitor destinations like Mormon Row and trailheads to Death Canyon and Taggart Lake. See GTNP’s road conditions and construction updates here.
