Public input is being taken through the end of the month by the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service on a plan to resurface more than 17 miles of the Generals Highway which connects Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks in California.

The work if approved would be done from Little Baldy to one mile south of the intersection of the Generals Highway and Grant Grove Road (Hwy. 180). The project would occur on both National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service portions of the Generals Highway. All written comments about this project must be transmitted, postmarked, or hand-delivered by March 31, 2016.

To make electronic comments or to learn more about this project, you can visit this website.

To submit written comments, send them via mail or hand-deliver to: Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Attn: Generals Highway Project, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271. 

The first phase of the project, which would start in 2018, is a 7.4-mile section from Little Baldy north to Pythian Camp. The second phase of the project would include the remaining 10 miles of road and would likely start in 2019 or 2020, depending upon funding.

The project would entail excavating and replacing base and sub-grade materials, and grinding and reusing the existing pavement to resurface the roadway. Drainage structures (e.g., culverts and drains) would be rehabilitated, replaced, or redesigned at locations where existing drainage is inadequate.

The project would include replacement of asphalt curb and guardrails, reconstruction of retaining walls and guardwalls, restoration of the road shoulder, and rehabilitation of turnouts and scenic overlooks. As part of the project, the Kings Canyon Overlook would be expanded slightly and redesigned to improve traffic flow and pedestrian access.

In addition, as part of this project, the park is considering the possibility of redesigning the parking area and adding a new trail and/or viewpoints that would allow visitors to more closely experience the monarch giant sequoias in the Lost Grove. Upon completion of roadway rehabilitation, site restoration and re-vegetation would occur in disturbed areas adjoining the road.

Both the NPS and the USFS are interested in any public concerns, potential issues, or opportunities related to the proposed project. After analyzing comments received during scoping, the NPS and the USFS will determine the level of analysis necessary.