7 replies to this topic

[DeeCeeM]

We received this press release from the NPS today.

Rocky Mountain National Park Superintendent Vaughn Baker announced today that funding has been secured for the second phase of the Bear Lake Road reconstruction. The work would take place from the Park & Ride – Glacier Basin Campground intersection to the junction with Trail Ridge Road, 5.1miles, if funding allows. It could begin as early as this late fall or early winter. The work would be similar in scope and impacts as the first phase of Bear Lake Road which was completed in 2004 and took place on the upper 4.3 mile section of road. This major project would involve significant retaining wall work in order to accommodate much-needed safety and drainage improvements. In addition on this phase, a 0.9 mile section will be rerouted away from Glacier Creek in order to prevent impacts to wetlands and riparian habitat and minimize costs.

According to Superintendent Baker, "We recognize that work in the narrow road corridor will be difficult and have been cooperating closely with the Federal Highway Administration to structure the contract to minimize disruptions to visitors during the busy summer season." Among the options that may be considered are:

· Night road closures from mid-October to before the Memorial Day weekend, seven days a week, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Bear Lake Road above the Big Thompson River bridge
· In addition to night closures, during winter and early spring months, full day road closures above Big Thompson River bridge on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (no road access to Bear Lake on those three weekdays during the winter and early spring)
· Closure of Glacier Basin Campground during 2012, to allow safe contractor staging, to minimize traffic conflicts and to allow night work on the road
· Summer night closures of the road above the Big Thompson River bridge from 10:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. including weekends
· Allow work seven days a week except that the road would be fully open during holiday weekends
· Delays of up to 40 minutes should be expected when the road is open to vehicles

Bear Lake Road was completed in 1928 and until 2003, no significant improvements were made for 75 years. The project will improve the road surface and widen the road two feet to accommodate park shuttle buses. The project also will correct structural deficiencies in the roadway. The road is normally open year-round, so the wider road will help make snow removal operations safer.

This major project will be a challenge and details of visitor access on Bear Lake Road during the work are still being determined and will be announced at a later date. The ability to accomplish as much work as possible during the slower off-season months may help lessen disruptions during the peak season. When this project is complete, it will conclude over 47 miles of critical improvements on Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road since 2003.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.

[mwilson]

Looks like those plans could have an impact on Stomp hikes this next winter if I'm reading it right.

[DrCloud]

I first heard about this last summer, I think it was; and it must have been from one of the shuttle drivers (because I don't know who else would have provided the information that follows).

From the bridge up through Tuxedo Park, about to Hollowell Park, they're going to do the sort of widening and improving they already did to the upper section. They may have to cut into the uphill side a bit and put in retaining structures, but it's not going to be a big change.

Above Hollowell Park, there's realignment in the plan. Whoever it was (probably a shuttle driver) pointed out surveying stakes to me, and it looks as if there will be an entirely new road cut higher into the ridge that the current road goes around by following Glacier Creek. (Of course, this was last year. Maybe they have a new plan by now.) But it looks like a big project. I'm sure that some of the justification is safety -- there is the occasional car in the creek along that stretch presently. (This must upset the trout to no end.)

How they're going to do this over the winter is an interesting question. Perhaps they can get the trees felled and so on (heavy forestry equipment on top of a heavy snowpack does relatively little damage) and then do the road prep and so on after the thaw. Thing is, that part of the Park had snow on it through June this year, at least the upper section in the woods.

So, good luck to 'em. Next summer could be an adventure.

Speaking of adventures, we got a slow start today and arrived (via the lower shuttle) at the Park'nRide at about 10 this morning. There were about 150 people in line for the Bear Lake shuttle. Things are busy just now, so, if you're coming, be prepared to be patient. HPH

[Rhonda]

mwilson, on 02 August 2011 - 05:38 PM, said:

Looks like those plans could have an impact on Stomp hikes this next winter if I'm reading it right.

Might have to do some creative thinking for the Stomp! It also might be very hard to pick a date early, not knowing what will be available to us in late Feb or early Mar.

[mwilson]

We saw more than one survey crew along Bear Lake Road last week. I wondered about what they would do in the winter as well, but you may well be right about tree removal, etc.

[Bruce]

mwilson, on 02 August 2011 - 05:38 PM, said:

Looks like those plans could have an impact on Stomp hikes this next winter if I'm reading it right.

I know we weren't there for as many days as most, but I recall "Stomping" on Friday and Saturday. If I'm reading it right, those days of the week would not be impacted.

[DrCloud]

I was poking around on the RMNP web site and remembered this thread, so I poked harder and found the original planning documents. It's hard to say exactly, but it appears that they're going with what was called "Alternative 4" in the 2009 planning study (maybe or maybe not with tweaks), and that the new realignment above Hollowell Park will look like the picture below. The Park'NRide must be just off the bottom of this map.

The existing road above "Bandit Curve" (the upper of the two Hollowell hairpins) will be turned into a hiking trail -- a good deal all around, I'd say. HPH

[DeeCeeM]

That's very interesting. I had been wondering how they planned to move the road. Thanks for digging that up, DrCloud.