EBS STAFF
The National Park Service with the Federal Highway Administration will consider construction of a new North Entrance Road in Yellowstone National Park. The park will hold virtual public meetings on Feb. 12 and 14 and open a 30-day public comment on Feb. 12.
The new year-round road would provide access between Gardiner and Cooke City/ Silver Gate. It would also improve natural hazard resiliency and protect natural and cultural resources.
“Public input will help Yellowstone select an alignment and begin the environmental compliance process,” a release from Yellowstone National Park stated.
A flood in June 2022 destroyed northern portions of the park, including North Entrance Road and the Northeast Entrance Road.
The North and Northeast Entrance Roads are open year-round and are the only paths for winter vehicle access through the park.
The Northeast Entrance Road opened to the public in October 2022 after temporarily closing to visitor traffic in June 2022. Yellowstone opened a temporary road between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs opened to the public in October 2022. The temporary road is projected to last for five to 10 years.
After temporarily closing to regular visitor traffic on June 13, 2022, the Northeast Entrance Road opened to the public on Oct. 15, 2022, and a temporary road between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs opened to the public on Oct. 30, 2022.
“During each meeting, three preliminary road alignment alternatives will be presented along with two video flyovers to explain the damage, environmental challenges, constraints and opportunities of each alignment,” the release stated.
At the end of the public comment period, the NPS will consider comments received and draft an environmental assessment for the public to review in fall 2024.
