The Memorial Day Weekend is the traditional kickoff to the summer travel season, but in Olympic National Park getting around could be difficult in some areas of the park due to road work.

The work will be focused in the "Fisherman's Corner" of the park along the Olympic Hot Springs Road and the Whiskey Bend Road, according to a park release.

Both roads are important visitor access routes within the park’s Elwha Valley. They also will provide construction access during removal of the Glines Canyon Dam, set to begin this September as part of Elwha River Restoration, the release said.

Road repairs are planned to begin in mid-May to the ‘Fisherman’s Corner’s area of the Olympic Hot Springs Road, approximately one mile south of the park boundary.

These repairs involve replacement of failed base material and road surface. They will require a three-week closure to all public entry, including pedestrian and bicycle access, the park release said.  Exact dates for the closure have not yet been scheduled, but the road is anticipated to close in mid-May and remain closed through early June, including the Memorial Day weekend.  The Elwha and Altair campgrounds will also be closed during this three-week period.

“We understand the popularity of the Elwha Valley, particularly during the Memorial Day weekend,” said Olympic Superintendent Karen Gustin.  “These repairs are vital for public access, routine park operations and to stay on schedule for dam removal, and we ask for the public’s understanding as we move forward with these projects.

“Finishing these repairs to the Olympic Hot Springs Road will allow us to move forward more quickly with repairs to the Whiskey Bend Road,” she added.

Work on the Whiskey Bend Road is expected to begin as soon as possible after repairs are completed to the Olympic Hot Springs Road, with hopes of reopening Whiskey Bend Road by late summer or early fall, the release said.

Repairs to the Olympic Hot Springs Road will correct damage caused by  slumping of the river bank and nearby road in the Fisherman’s Corner area. Construction will include placement of bank protection, as well as replacement of failed road base material and asphalt.

Final designs for repairs to the Whiskey Bend Road are still under way. These repairs will correct extensive damage caused by heavy rains last December.  In addition to slide damage, an assessment by road engineers revealed large voids under the road, seriously compromising road safety and stability.

The 4.5-mile Whiskey Bend Road remains open at this time to pedestrians, bicyclists and stock users, who should use extra caution when crossing the damaged areas.