OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Chip-sealing the lower five miles of Hurricane Ridge Road will begin Monday, from the road’s intersection with Mount Angeles Road to the Heart O’the Hills entrance station.
Park spokeswoman Barb Maynes said visitors should prepare for minor delays and drive slowly and cautiously through work zones.
Although the work is expected to take a week, it requires a dry road surface and temperatures above 45 degrees, and it could take longer if wet or colder weather prevails.
Meanwhile, contractors will begin installing underground utility conduits and vaults above the tunnels that are three and a half miles from Heart O’the Hills.
In addition, work will begin on a new stone wall at the Double Parking scenic viewpoint six miles from the entrance station.
Hurricane Ridge Road is closed to bicycles above Heart O’the Hills.
For more information about the project, visit the Web site of Olympic National Park, www.nps.gov/olym.
In another road issue, access to the Upper Queets Valley has reopened by way of U.S. Forest Service and state Department of Natural Resources roads.
The lower Queets Valley is still accessible by way of the Queets Road, which leads approximately six miles to Matheny Creek.
The Queets Valley above Matheny Creek is accessible by the alternative route.
Both routes are clearly marked at their intersections with Highway 101.
The road was closed by rock slides in 2005 and 2006.
The Queets Campground will reopen Friday.
