Park service plans road construction work

The National Park Service’s Southeast Utah Group is scheduled to begin work this summer on pavement resurfacing and repair work projects at national parks and monuments near Moab.

Work will begin at Arches National Park and the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park during the week of Monday, June 20, then progress to the Needles District of Canyonlands and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments throughout the summer.

The Federal Highway Administration- (FHWA-) funded project will be conducted in stages, starting with crack sealing, road cleaning and patching; and then followed by resurfacing and lane painting.

“We are grateful to the FHWA for this funding which will improve park road conditions,” National Park Service Southeast Utah Group Superintendent Kate Cannon said. “We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding in order to complete this important work as safely and efficiently as possible.”

Travel delays of up to 15 minutes are anticipated, and pilot cars and/ or flaggers will be used to direct traffic when lane closures are necessary.

Detailed project work schedules are still being worked out and may fluctuate due to weather or other uncontrollable circumstances.

Work at Arches National Park will take place at the visitor center, Balanced Rock and Sand Dune Arch parking lots. Work at Canyonlands National Park and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments will include all paved parking lots, trailheads, pullouts, overlooks and campgrounds.

Parking lots, trailheads, pullouts, overlooks and campgrounds will be closed while work is taking place, with the exception of the Devils Garden Campground in Arches National Park – which is not part of this project. Areas will reopen as soon as possible after work is completed.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the parks’ official websites before traveling and to stop in park visitor centers for updated road work information.

Additional information about the road work will be posted on the parks’ official websites as it becomes available.

Visitors can expect travel delays at Arches, Canyonlands