ARCHES NATIONAL PARK — A study has found that proposed roadwork will not significantly affect Arches National Park.
The National Park Service has announced the Finding of No Significant Impact for the park-wide road maintenance and modification project in Arches National Park was signed by the acting Intermountain regional director on Oct. 18.
The decision was reached after review and analysis of the possible environmental impacts of the project, as well as public comments received on the environmental assessment released in July.
The Central Federal Highway Administration, in cooperation with the National Park Service, will rehabilitate, restore and resurface approximately 23 miles of road and pullouts in Arches National Park.
The project also includes construction of turnarounds at Windows and Devils Garden Loop roads; removal and replacement of railing at Courthouse Wash Bridge; drainage work near the entrance station; and construction of an additional entrance lane for pass holders and possible future shuttle bus operations.
The project will occur in two phases. The first phase, which started this month, is on the Devils Garden Loop road, where parking will be reconfigured and expanded and a turnaround lane constructed. The work is expected to take one to two months this winter and one to two months in the spring to complete.
The second phase will start in 2016 and require two summer construction seasons to complete.
The signed report may be viewed at the National Park Service website.