Yellowstone Gets $50 Million to Rebuild After Disastrous Flood
There seems to be a little light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to rebuilding efforts in Yellowstone National Park.
On Sunday, June 19, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams and Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly visited Yellowstone National Park and Gardiner. They announced that Yellowstone would be receiving $50 million in emergency funding to help the park recover following historic flooding.
In addition to the park's southern loop reopening on Wednesday, June 22, the park's northern loop is expected to be reopened in two weeks or less. Clean-up, repairs, and final inspection of the northern loop infrastructure will need to be completed prior to reopening. The reopening of the northern loop will give visitors access to Dunraven Pass, Tower, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Norris.
Additional details about park access will be announced in the near future. Once the northern loop reopens, visitors will have access to approximately 80% of Yellowstone National Park.
According to a press release, the initial $50 million in emergency funding will be used to restore temporary access to Gardiner and Cooke City. Work is being done to improve the Old Gardiner Road which will provide temporary access between Yellowstone and Gardiner.
With help from the Federal Highway Administration, materials initially meant for another project in the park are being diverted for use on the Old Gardiner Road project.
The National Park Service plans to improve the Old Gardiner Road during the summer to ensure that essential emergency services, food, supplies, and other administrative needs will be available throughout the winter months.
NPS will also look for opportunities to restore limited visitor access at the park’s North Entrance. Permanent reconstruction plans are being developed and alternatives will be completed in the upcoming months.
NPS and the Federal Highway Administration are also working to restore access to Silver Gate and Cooke City at the park’s northeast entrance. Currently, the road is impassible between Lamar Valley and Silver Gate. More information on funding and timelines are not yet available but are expected to be released in the near future.
Visitors planning a trip to YNP this summer need to be informed about a new entry system that will limit park visitation this summer. Click here for details.