YNP North Entrance Project Launched

Yellowstone National Park kicks off its Gardiner Gateway project today with federal, state, local and non-profit representatives joining in a ceremony near the Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner, Montana.  Park Spokesman Al Nash Says work on improvements addressing visitor safety, parking and improved traffic circulation is to take place beginning this summer – but the project has evolved to go beyond reconfiguring the northern entrance. Nash says the Park Service originally proposed work at the north entrance to address such issues as traffic congestion and the safety of visitors negotiating the entrance.  However, he says the community members seized the opportunity to become involved in some economic development initiatives and the promotion of tourism there.  Among their ideas are renovations to Arch Park, recreating the old Robert Reimer-designed depot as a community building, and possibly a visitor center on Park Street.  Nash says the estimated completion date of 2016 for the project coincides with the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.