NPS - National Park Service

05/03/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/03/2021 15:53

Temporary Road Closure in Natural Bridges National Monument

Date:
May 3, 2021
Contact: Vernon Cody, Superintendent, 435-692-1234

BLANDING, UT - Natural Bridges' Bridge View Drive (park loop road) will be closed entirely on May 11, 2021, and partially closed on the morning of May 12, 2021, due to road work. The visitor center and campground will remain accessible during that time, but short delays are possible.

The park loop road will close at 6 am on Tuesday, May 11. Wednesday morning, May 12, the portion of the road to the Sipapu Bridge trailhead will reopen. Flaggers will control traffic along that portion of the road. Visitors should expect delays of 15-20 minutes. Large vehicles or vehicles towing trailers may not be able to turn around at the Sipapu Bridge trailhead and are discouraged during this time. All road work is expected to be completed and the entire road reopened by midday on May 12.

During this closure, road crews will be drilling through the road surface every 1,000 feet to collect core samples. These core samples will allow engineers to test the subsurface of the road for permeability, stability, erosion, and rock type. This work is the first stage in a multi-stage process to completely rehabilitate the Natural Bridges park road. Future stages include a complete resurfacing of the park road and replacing or repairing worn or damaged culverts to better mitigate water flow under the road.

This rehabilitation project is part of a road's normal life cycle. It will provide an improved driving experience for park visitors and help reduce and mitigate erosion and resource damage along the roadway throughout the park.

Additional information about this closure may be posted on our official website, www.nps.gov/nabr, and on Facebook as it becomes available.

www.nps.gov