Tunnel East

Road Construction in Zion National Park

Beginning as early as September 5, 2006 , the National Park Service in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration – Central Federal Lands Highway Division, will begin a road rehabilitation project in the vicinity of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel in Zion National Park. Superintendent Jock Whitworth explains, “The project will address our concerns over traffic control and visitor and park employee safety in the popular and congested area around the tunnel, and help us better protect park resources that so many people enjoy.”

The project will occur Monday through Friday during the daylight and is scheduled to be completed by December 15, 2006 . The main highway through the park will remain open during the project but traffic delays up to 30 minutes are possible. Effective September 6, 2006, the project will require closure of the Canyon Overlook Trail and parking areas and pullouts within one quarter mile of the east side of the tunnel. These closures will remain in effect until the completion of the project.

The road work will primarily occur on the east side of the tunnel in a one-quarter-mile segment beginning at the east tunnel entrance. Modifications will include fog sealing the road surface and scaling rock slopes on both sides of the road; minor road widening to incorporate a safety median for park rangers managing traffic; reconfiguring two parking areas; creating a painted center median with rumble strips; relocating a crosswalk and constructing a sidewalk to the popular Canyon Overlook Trail; eliminating three hazardous informal pullouts on the opposite side of the road from that trail, one of which will be reconfigured as a slow vehicle passing lane; establishing erosion-control measures for the Pine Creek slot canyon access; and replacing and relocating the ranger kiosk. Rumble strips will also be added to the existing painted median on the west side of the tunnel.

The project will occur in a constricted and congested area. Historic features associated with the Zion Tunnel and the roadway will be preserved during the project. Superintendent Whitworth states, “We will work to keep delays to a minimum but delays will be necessary to ensure safety for both visitors and workers.”

For current information on the project consult the park's website at www.nps.gov/zion.