Because of a major construction project, bicycle and pedestrian traffic will not be permitted on the first five miles of Hurricane Ridge Road from the intersection with Mount Angeles Road to the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station during weekday work hours.

Bicyclists and pedestrians who want to travel Hurricane Ridge Road are encouraged to drive to the Heart O’ the Hills campground picnic area to start their trip and avoid the work zone.

Heavy machinery with limited visibility, uneven and unpaved road surfaces, loose gravel, one-lane sections of road, pilot car zones and lack of guardrails all pose risks during the upcoming construction season. Combined with the road’s typical mountain characteristics (steep grade, curves, and limited sight distance), these factors led to the park’s decision to restrict bicyclists from using the lower five-mile section of road during the construction project.

The scheduled five-month construction project will not likely affect the Ride the Hurricane cycling event set for Aug. 5, park officials said.

The road work includes utility work, pavement rehabilitation, culvert installation, guardrail installation, and paving. Drivers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes in both directions during weekday work hours. Flaggers and pilot cars guide drivers through the active construction areas and temporary traffic signs and devices will be installed for weekend and evening travel as needed.

The $6.9 million road rehabilitation project began in mid-April and is a partnership between the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration and Washington State contractor Columbia Pacific Construction, Inc. of Woodland.

For more information about visiting Olympic National Park, see www.nps.gov/olym or call the recorded Road & Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131 for daily updates.