Tucson, AZ - Road preservation construction continues in Saguaro National Park this month. Construction crews are finishing work in the park’s west district and are preparing to move to the east district at the end of the week. Visitors should expect potential delays in the east district starting April 16, 2020.
The Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the east district will be closed on weekdays from April 17 - May 5. This closure includes the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center Parking area. The road and parking area will be open on the weekends.
“Visitors can expect the front gate in the east district to be closed while construction crews are working on the Cactus Forest Loop", according to Chief Ranger Ray O’Neil. “This will help ensure the safety of the crew working on the one lane road, as well as any visitor who may not be aware of the closure notice."
This closure notice includes all traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
“There will be heavy machinery, large trucks, and construction traffic moving in both directions on the one lane road. It will not be safe for anyone to be in the area if they are not part of the construction project", Ranger O’Neil added.
Water will continue to be available at the bike ramada, a structure west of the visitor center accessible by a narrow path from Old Spanish Trail. Pathways beyond the bike ramada towards the parking lot and visitor center will be closed to all traffic during construction.
Bicyclists who choose to use the Cactus Forest Loop Road when it reopens are encouraged to use extreme caution and expect loose gravel on the roadway.
In addition, Juniper Basin Campground will be closed during the project. Visit www.recreation.gov for more information and to obtain wilderness camping permits for the other campgrounds in the park.
-nps.gov/sagu -
About the National Park Service - More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 400+ national park units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
