OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The Elwha Valley will remain open most of the Memorial Day weekend, with the road closing for repairs at 5 p.m. Monday.
The section of Olympic Hot Springs Road that is within Olympic National Park will close to all public entry, including pedestrian and bicycle access, for up to five weeks starting Tuesday, May 31.
The Elwha and Altair campgrounds and all area trailheads also will close during this time.
Road repairs to the “Fisherman’s Corner” section of Olympic Hot Springs Road within Olympic National Park will begin Tuesday, May 31.
Contractors will begin preparatory work early next week.
Work at Fisherman’s Corner, which is about one mile of the park boundary will include placement of bank protection as well as replacement of failed road base material and asphalt.
Olympic Hot Springs Road provides the only vehicular access to the Elwha Valley of Olympic National Park, and will be a primary access road for contractors during the removal of Glines Canyon Dam, scheduled to begin in September as a part of Elwha River Restoration.
“We are very pleased to be able to begin these vital road repairs after Memorial Day, giving people a chance to enjoy the Elwha Valley over the holiday weekend,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.
“These repairs are vital for public access, routine park operations and to stay on schedule for dam removal.”
The final design for repair of Whiskey Bend Road is not completed, Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman, said this week.
Work will begin as soon as possible after repairs are completed to the Olympic Hot Springs Road.
The 4.5-mile Whiskey Bend Road road has been closed to vehicles since December, when the road sustained extensive slide damage caused by heavy rains.
In addition to the slide, an assessment by road engineers revealed large voids under the road, seriously compromising road safety and stability.
Whiskey Bend Road remains open at this time to pedestrians, bicyclists and stock users, who should be use extra caution when crossing the damaged areas.
For more information about the park, see www.nps.gov/olym.
