The full closure of Highway 101 at Lake Crescent since Monday has allowed rock scaling work to progress safely and efficiently. The full closure was anticipated to last up to four days, however, despite aggressive efforts to complete the work in the initial timeframe the work may require an additional day.
After evaluating the scaling left to complete at this point and the time necessary to clear the road and replace the concrete barriers, reopening the road may need to wait until Friday. Crews are continuing to work hard to meet the original schedule of reopening Thursday evening. However, the park is making this notification in order to keep the public informed of progress and to plan ahead.
“We recognize the importance of the Highway 101 corridor to the public and the inconvenience that the closure has caused,” said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Lee Taylor. “The safety of the public has to take precedence.”
Highway 101 will reopen as soon as possible, but travelers should plan ahead for the potential that the closure may last until Friday at 6:00 pm. Rock scaling is expected to be completed Thursday evening or Friday morning. Once the rock scaling is finished, the road will be cleared of debris and the concrete barriers will be reinstalled through the work zone. Once the barriers are in place, Highway 101 will reopen to single-lane traffic through that area.
Temporary traffic signals for alternating single-lane traffic will be in place for the reopening with short delays through the weekend and after hours. Starting Monday, flaggers will control traffic during work hours for the installation of rock bolts and dowels. This work will require half-hour delays. No four-hour closures are currently scheduled in the next two weeks.
Due to traffic safety concerns through the rock scaling zone the Federal Highway Administration recommended a full closure for Highway 101 until the rock scaling is completed. Olympic National Park officials and project partners at the Federal Highway Administration made the decision to close Highway 101 in the rock scaling zone to all traffic for public safety. The full closure is expediting the completion of rock scaling work and ensuring the safety of the public until the scaling is complete. With additional crew and a waiver from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to increase work hours for rock scaling, the contractor now expects to complete the scaling Thursday evening or Friday morning.
During the closure, Highway 101 eastbound from Forks is open up to the turn for Barnes Point where Lake Crescent Lodge, Storm King Information Station, NatureBridge, and the trailheads are located. Highway 101 westbound from Port Angeles is open up to mile marker 232/East Beach Road. Travelers to the western side of the peninsula can use SR 112 as an alternate route during the closure.
Construction work will continue during the closure on other portions of the project outside the rock scaling area and travelers on Highway 101 at Lake Crescent should continue to expect half-hour delays Monday through Friday during work hours. Weekday work hours through September 23 are restricted to two hours after sunrise to two hours before sunset for areas outside the rock scaling zone. Traveling in the morning before 8:30 am and after 5:30 pm may help travelers avoid the half-hour delays.
Maps of the area and access information are available on the park website at www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/lake-crescent-highway-101-rehabilitation-2017-19.htm.
