Last year at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors hoping to see the Big Room had to hike down, and then back up, this steep walkway into the Natural Entrance/NPS
Two years after Carlsbad Caverns National Park had to shut down the primary elevators that took visitors to "the Grand Canyon with a roof over it," work began this week to bring the elevators back into service.
The approximately $4.7 million project at the New Mexico park is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.
"We are pleased that the elevator project is underway that will provide visitors with safe and reliable transport into and out of the cavern," said Superintendent Doug Neighbor.
Work to modernize the primary elevators will include installing new motors and elevator cars, and repair and install elevator guide rails. The primary elevator system was originally installed in 1955 and went out of service in November 2015 when a 6-inch motor shaft unexpectedly sheared off.
A contract for the modernization project was awarded in August to California-based Tutor Perini Corporation.
The park continues to provide visitors with access to the cavern by utilizing its secondary elevators and the Natural Entrance Trail.
For a time last year, both sets of elevators were out of service, meaning visitors who wanted to see the underground Big Room faced a long, steep hike in and out of the cave entrance in addition to the more-than-a-mile walk through the room.
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My Husband and I visited Carlsbad caverns on September 26 1959, and I remember walking down to get into the caves but I do not remember any elevators. We had two young children and there was babysitting provided for $1.25 and the children were entertained there while the adults took the tour. I will always remember the dizzy feeling when all lights were turned off in the big room for one minute.