Ridge road reopens

Construction work will continue for three more weeks on Hurricane Ridge Road but bicycles again are permitted on the 17-mile road.

"We are very pleased to allow bicyclists to ride the Hurricane Ridge Road once again," said Olympic National Park superintendent Karen Gustin. "We appreciate the public’s patience and look forward to completing this project in early November."

Safety concerns prohibited bicycles from using the road for a five-month period during the most intensive construction activity.

Work will continue along the road shoulders on weekdays through Nov. 7. Flaggers will direct traffic during this time and bicyclists and motorists are urged to use caution and to be prepared for delays. The project is set for completion Nov. 7; no work is scheduled for Saturdays or Sundays.

The $12 million road rehabilitation project is a partnership among the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration and local contractor Lakeside Industries. When complete, Hurricane Ridge Road will be completely resurfaced, along with the Hurricane Ridge parking lot and numerous pullouts along the road.

Repairs to three sections of road that were severely damaged during the December 2007 storm also were completed, along with installation of new conduits to carry utility lines to Hurricane Ridge.