Road repairs at Zion could mean delays through park

ZION NATIONAL PARK — Major roadwork on a section of the Zion-Mount Carmel highway of Zion National Park will take place from mid-May to October.

The repair work will take place on the highway known as "The Switchbacks," from the junction of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to the west portal of the Zion Tunnel. Although there will be delays and short-term road closures affecting travel between Zion Canyon and U.S. 89, all park visitor facilities and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive will remain open for visitor enjoyment.

People visiting Zion Canyon via the park's South Entrance who are camping, accessing the shuttle system, staying at the Zion Lodge or in the town of Springdale will not be in the construction zone.

Travelers going through Zion from the South Entrance to the East Entrance, or vice versa, should expect delays and some temporary closures.

Construction schedules are not yet available, but if much of the work can be accomplished at night, delays of up to an hour or more will occur throughout the day. Daytime delays or closures may be up to three hours.

Bicyclists wishing to cross the park during construction will need to arrange for a private vehicle to take them through the construction zone and Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

Check the park Web site at www.nps.gov/zion weekly for updates on the construction schedule, or call 435-772-3256 (press 1, then 4).