NPS Warns Of Summer Traffic Delays Over Major Construction Work At Yellowstone

The National Park Service (NPS) has warned that construction work in Yellowstone National Park could cause major traffic jams this summer. Read on to find out about the two major construction projects that are ongoing and how parkgoers will need to play their summer vacations around this work.

NPS warns visitors about two major construction projects at Yellowstone

While Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular parks in the summer, visitors could be impacted by two, ongoing construction projects. Due to this, visitors should plan their summer vacations around this work.

Meanwhile, the two improvement projects in question relate to the replacement of the Lewis River Bridge and the Yellowstone River Bridge in the Yellowstone National Park. Moreover, work on these projects is expected to continue for several months, causing potential traffic jams in the park’s southern and northern road corridors.

Lewis River Bridge construction in Yellowstone Nationa Park

Due to the project at the Lewis River Bridge, located around 10 miles north of South Entrance Road of the Yellowstone National Park, travelers can expect up to 20-minute delays. However, from May through October, the roads will be open to wheeled vehicles. However, visitors are advised that nearby pullouts and the Lewis River Falls Trail will be closed while construction work is underway.

This project started in 2022 and includes the complete removal and replacement of the Lewis River Bridge with a new bridge further downstream. The NPS anticipates that this work will be completed during the fall of 2024. While this will likely cause traffic jams, once complete, visitors can look forward to more parking and viewing opportunities.

Yellowstone River Bridge project

Visitors may experience delays due to construction work in the vicinity of the Yellowstone River Bridge, close to the Tower Junction along the Northeast Entrance Road. The NPS warns that they could experience up to 30-minute delays and warned that hiking trails in the area may be temporarily closed during the project.

Meanwhile, the construction project began last year and isn’t expected to be completed until 2026. However, the Northeast Entrance is open for wheeled vehicles all year round, but hiking trails may close temporarily during the project.

This project involves the removal of the existing “structurally deficient bridge. The bridge was built in 1961 and measures 604 feet in length, with a new, 1,285, 175-foot-high steel girder bridge located upstream. According to the NPS, area hiking trails may be closed temporarily during the construction period, which is not expected to be complete until 2026.

Yellowstone National Park upgrades

While the two construction projects could impact visitors, these upgrades aim to preserve year-round access to the park from the Northeast Entrance, and the communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana. The projects include new paved parking areas and pullouts, along with a dedicated route across the new.

This upgrade aims to preserve year-round access to and from the Northeast Entrance, and the communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana. Featuring new pullouts, paved parking areas and a dedicated route across the new bridge. Moreover, the finished work will also increase visitors’ access to several trails, fishing spots and viewpoints. Moreover, the Yellowstone River picnic area is set to be expanded.

For those readers planning to visit Yellowstone National Park, the latest details are available on the park’s website. Alternatively, they can call 307-344-2117 for the latest recorded information. Moreover, visitors can receive Yellowstone road alerts on their mobile phones by texting “82190” to 888-777.