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12-21-2006, 09:03 AM
CRAIG HILL; The News Tribune
Published: December 21st, 2006 01:00 AM
Repairs should not cause dramatic changes to the appearance of flood-battered Nisqually Road in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park.
“In fact, those who don’t visit the park all the time will probably think the road doesn’t look any different,” said park spokesman Kevin Bacher.
Park officials had feared new bridges might be necessary after Nov. 6 and 7 flooding ruined four sections of the 16-mile road to Paradise.
The Federal Highway Administration recommended repairs at meetings last week and the park announced its plans in an employee newsletter Wednesday.
Five miles into the park, where Kautz Creek changed course during the flooding and now flows over the road to Longmire instead of under the bridge, repairs will be made using culverts.
Park officials were concerned they would have to blaze a 1.5-mile road to get heavy equipment into position to redirect the creek. The road would have resulted in the loss of numerous trees.
“It’s a natural area and the river is doing what it naturally does,” Bacher said.
Park officials plan to start construction in early January, meaning repairs won’t be done until at least March. Estimated damage to the park is almost $30 million.
The park has been closed since Nov. 6, but reopens for partial access near Ashford on Saturday. The access will include hiking to and along West Side Road and the Boundary Trail as well as ranger-led tours of the storm damage. No vehicles are allowed in the park.
The National Park Inn at Longmire is reopening for the holidays with guests arriving via a shuttle from Ashford.
source http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/6292652p-5488054c.html
Published: December 21st, 2006 01:00 AM
Repairs should not cause dramatic changes to the appearance of flood-battered Nisqually Road in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park.
“In fact, those who don’t visit the park all the time will probably think the road doesn’t look any different,” said park spokesman Kevin Bacher.
Park officials had feared new bridges might be necessary after Nov. 6 and 7 flooding ruined four sections of the 16-mile road to Paradise.
The Federal Highway Administration recommended repairs at meetings last week and the park announced its plans in an employee newsletter Wednesday.
Five miles into the park, where Kautz Creek changed course during the flooding and now flows over the road to Longmire instead of under the bridge, repairs will be made using culverts.
Park officials were concerned they would have to blaze a 1.5-mile road to get heavy equipment into position to redirect the creek. The road would have resulted in the loss of numerous trees.
“It’s a natural area and the river is doing what it naturally does,” Bacher said.
Park officials plan to start construction in early January, meaning repairs won’t be done until at least March. Estimated damage to the park is almost $30 million.
The park has been closed since Nov. 6, but reopens for partial access near Ashford on Saturday. The access will include hiking to and along West Side Road and the Boundary Trail as well as ranger-led tours of the storm damage. No vehicles are allowed in the park.
The National Park Inn at Longmire is reopening for the holidays with guests arriving via a shuttle from Ashford.
source http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/6292652p-5488054c.html