June 25, 2009, 3:15 pm
Barring weather-related set-backs, Glacier National Park officials today announced that on Thursday, June 25, by mid-day, the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) is expected to open to Logan Pass and the entire Sun Road is projected to open across Logan Pass by mid-day on Friday, June 26.
When open to Logan Pass from the west side, visitors will be able to travel 32 miles from the West Glacier entrance along the Sun Road. On the east side, visitors can currently travel approximately 14 miles from St. Mary to Jackson Glacier Overlook.
Park road crews have been assisted with road preparations over the last week by park trail crew personnel and employees of HK Contractors, Inc., to prepare for the safe opening of the entire Sun Road. Snow and wet weather conditions in recent days have delayed paving near the East Tunnel that was damaged during the November 2006 “Pineapple Express” storm. If weather cooperates, this section will be paved on Wednesday and Thursday. “We had hoped that the East Tunnel paving would be completed by now, “said Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright. “Unfortunately, fresh snow in recent days has delayed the paving. Weather permitting, we will open the road across Logan Pass on Friday with or without the paving, but we want to provide the Federal Highway Administration and their contractor, HK Contractors, Inc. a final chance to complete this paving, if possible, by Friday when we swing the gates at Logan Pass and Jackson Glacier Overlook.”
