Permanent Fixes To Yellowstone NP Roads Could Take Several Years To Complete

After last month’s flooding, it didn’t take long for Yellowstone National Park officials to reopen about 93% of the park to visitors.

The remaining 7% won’t be as easy and will take much more time to do.

More than $110-million in emergency funding has been made available from both the National Park Service and the US Department of Transportation for various repair projects mostly on the north side of the park.

Last week, US Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland toured the damaged area and commended park officials and workers on what has been accomplished in the past month.

Park Superintendent Cam Sholly says the emergency funding will be used to try to repair and reopen the North Entrance Road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner, Montana.

He adds he hopes to have a temporary fix before winter, but a long term permanent fix could take between 3-to-5 years.

Cost estimates are still being worked on.

Last week John Garder, who is the director of budget and appropriations for the National Parks Conservation Coalition said repairs to Yellowstone could cost more than $1-billion.