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No Firm Estimate On When Big Oak Flat Road At Yosemite National Park Will Reopen

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Published Date

March 13, 2017

Yosemite National Park, along with the Federal Highway Administration and contractors, are working to repair the Big Oak Flat Road in Yosemite National Park. There is no estimated reopening date for the road that leads to Yosemite Valley/NPS

While crews are at work rebuilding a damaged portion of the Big Oak Flat Road in Yosemite National Park, there is no firm estimate of when the road will reopen to traffic, officials said Monday.

Severe winter storms have impacted the road; it has been unsafe for vehicular travel since late February. The park is working with Federal Highway Administration officials and contractors to completely assess the situation and design and implement repair work. The road leads from the Big Oak Flat Entrance on the park's western border to the Yosemite Valley.

Significant rain and snow this winter has saturated the soils, resulting in soils under the road sliding downhill. This movement caused a large fissure to form in the roadway that has resulted in both lanes of traffic being unsafe for vehicles. Soils continue to move, causing further damage to the roadway. More than 200 feet of roadway has been impacted.

“We pledge to work diligently on the repair and communicate regularly about progress that is made,” said Yosemite's acting superintendent, Woody Smeck. “We know this road closure places a burden on the surrounding communities and we are working as quickly as we can to get the road reopened safely. We appreciate the Federal Highway Administration’s assistance in expediting this project. We greatly appreciate the patience and support of all communities along the Highway 120 corridor.”

Visitors are still able to visit Yosemite National Park via the Big Oak Flat entrance. Crane Flat and the Merced and Tuolumne Groves of Giant Sequoias are accessible and open. The park has waived the entrance fee for visitors entering the park via Highway 120. Park entrance fees still apply to all visitors entering the park via the Arch Rock and South Entrance Stations.

The Wawona Road (Highway 41) to the park's south entrance is currently open to one-lane controlled traffic. Highway 140 (El Portal Road) remains open and clear for all vehicular traffic Visitors traveling on this road are urged to drive with caution and be aware of rocks and debris on the road.

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