Highway 123 work finishes early

JEFFREY P. MAYOR; jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
Last updated: September 22nd, 2008 12:31 PM (PDT)

The work to repave a portion of Highway 123 through Mount Rainier National Park has been completed ahead of schedule.

As a result, park officials have lifted the temporary Monday-through-Thursday daytime closure. Travelers should still anticipate delays up to 20 minutes Mondays through Fridays until work is finished, which should happen late this month, said a park news release.

About 5.8 miles of the roadway from 2 miles south of Deer Creek Bridge to the intersection of Highway 410 at Cayuse Pass and 11/2 miles of Highway 410 from one-quarter mile north of Cayuse Pass, east toward Chinook Pass to the first major switchback, are being rehabbed.

Crews have worked to improve drainage; excavate, stabilize and reinforce failing subsurface material; repair and stabilize historic rock retaining walls; and resurface the road, according to the release.

Work also involves replacement of the failing stone and timber fence in the Tipsoo Lake area with a border rock edge that will withstand heavy snows.

Updated information on this project can be obtained by calling Mount Rainier National Park at 360-569-2211, Ext. 2166. Information on this project, as well as general park information, also is available at www.nps.gov/mora.

Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640

blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure

Originally published: September 18th, 2008 12:45 AM (PDT)