Tractor with boom-axe arm clearing brush and shrubs away from parkway road.
NPS photo
Some maintenance tasks may require temporary closures to ensure both visitor and employee safety. These projects typically require heavy equipment, teams of park service employees, and strict safety measures to insure that the tasks can be completed with as little danger as possible. These maintenance tasks include:
Boom-axe operations that remove encroaching vegetation from the roadside may cause temporary road closures.
Vista restoration projects which maintain the parkway's breathtaking views may close overlooks.
Natural resource preservation projects may close trails, overlooks, and some cliff faces.
Tree removal to prevent hazardous trees from endangering visitors may close the roadway, overlooks, or trails.
Overlook and roadside mowing.
It may seem overly cautious to close portions of the roadway or overlooks to visitors, however it is only done when it is determined to be necessary. The parkway is meant to be enjoyed by all, but at the expense of no one's safety.
Closures are lifted as soon as possible, and major projects are scheduled in the winter so as to cause as little inconvenience as possible. Everyone involved in these projects is very appreciative of visitor patience and flexibility during these times.
