The big project — and one that impacted visitors in 2009 — is the continued reconstruction of the Grand Loop Road between Madison and Norris through Gibbon Canyon. Luckily, the impact will be lessened this summer; last year the road was closed at the end of the summer, but this year work will proceed with the road remaining open. Still, visitors can expect up to 30-minute delays from the time the road opens to travel on April 16 through October 20. This section of road will also be closed to travel between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. every night from April 16 until September 1. There will be no daytime delays or overnight closures during the Memorial Day or July 4 holiday weekends. During this period, visitors should allow extra travel time in case they need to reroute through West Thumb and Canyon.
A small road project on the park’s East Entrance road over Sylvan Pass may also result in up to 30-minute delays during the spring, summer and fall. No night time closures are scheduled. There will be no construction or delays during holiday weekends.
A third project in the park is expected to result in some delays during the last two weeks of June. Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will be used to repair and repave the section of road between the Uncle Tom’s Trail parking area and Artist Point along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Visitors can expect up to 30-minute delays on the South Rim Drive, as well as some delays on the road between Canyon and Fishing Bridge. All work is expected to be completed prior to the July 4 holiday weekend.
Of course, there are unanticipated road closures all the time; we’ll keep tabs on them as best we can on our Yellowstone Road Conditions page.
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