Yellowstone NP To Start Work On Three Road Improvement Projects In 2022

This year will mark the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park, but it won’t be a smooth ride for visitors in certain areas.

The park has announced that work will start on three major road improvement projects on various highways.

One of those is the Lewis River Bridge, which is about 10 miles north of the south entrance to the park.

Motorists should expect 20 minute delays in the area, and there will be occasional overnight closures.

The current bridge was built in 1960 and is deteriorating.

A new bridge will be built just east of the current one as well as a new parking area nearby.

While the work is going on, nearby pullouts and the trail to the Lewis River Falls will be closed until fall of 2023.

Another project will be repaving a 22 mile section of Grand Loop Road between West Thumb and Old Faithful.

The current pavement has been there since 1987.

Motorists can expect up to a half hour delay in that area until fall of 2023.

The final project will be the Yellowstone River Bridge which is near Tower Junction along Northeast Entrance Road.

That project will not start until fall and will take about 3 years to complete.

The current bridge was built in the 1960’s and is deteriorating.

The new bridge will be built 500 feet south of the current one and the Yellowstone River Picnic Area will be reconstructed to accommodate increased visitor use.

All 3 projects are funded through the Great American Outdoors Act and the Legacy Restoration Fund.