Road Construction and Infrastructure Project Work

 

Road reconstruction typically requires warmer weather. In this part of the country that means road construction overlaps with the primary visitor season of May through October. In the summer of 2024 there will be several road construction projects that may impact travel times within the Glacier National Park area.

 

Going-to-the-Sun Road
The west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road is undergoing the last phase of construction work that began in May 2023. The full section, from the foot of Lake McDonald to North Lake McDonald Road, is now paved. Work on road shoulders and striping is expected to finish in June. Minimal delays are expected during this work.

Weekend work is likely during road construction. There are no nighttime closures in the construction zone planned at this time. Any updates to night closures will be posted here. Visitors should check this page before their visit if they intend to visit at night.

 

Upper McDonald Creek Bridge
A bridge replacement is underway on upper McDonald Creek. The bridge provides access to the northwest shore of Lake McDonald including private homes, the Lake McDonald Ranger Station, and trailheads. When completed, the new bridge will be approximately 30 feet upstream of the existing bridge, requiring a realignment of the road approaches.

Similar to 2023, North Lake McDonald Road will be closed for the entire 2024 season at the Going-to-the-Sun Road intersection. There will be no public access, including vehicles, hiking, or biking, and no parking beyond or in the vicinity of the intersection. Visitors intending on hiking the Johns Lake Loop Trail will not be able to complete the loop and will need to turn around where trail closure signs are posted. Bridge construction is expected to conclude at the end of August 2024.

Polebridge–Glacier Drive to North Fork Entrance
Construction on Glacier Drive in Polebridge that began in 2023 will continue in 2024 starting on June 3. Visitors to the Polebridge area should expect 30-minute delays before arriving at and departing from the park entrance. Visitors are encouraged not to drive to the North Fork entrance unless they have a North Fork vehicle reservation to decrease traffic in the work zone. Updates for the construction project can be found here.

Inside North Fork Road
Road grading will be ongoing throughout the summer on the road to Bowman and Kintla lakes. Operations will not disrupt travel to these destinations. Major road work between Camas and Anaconda Creek could impact hiker and biker travel

Many Glacier–Swiftcurrent (Fall 2024)
Starting September 16, 2024, the road past Many Glacier Hotel at the T-intersection will be closed due to construction on the Swiftcurrent Water Distribution System and Swiftcurrent Spur Road rehabilitation. Construction will begin after Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Many Glacier Hotel, and Many Glacier Campground are closed for the 2024 season.

Trail access will still be allowed for trails such as Ptarmigan Tunnel (and points beyond), Iceberg Lake, and Swiftcurrent Pass. However, visitors will need to park in the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot, walk to the closure point and use the horse trail to bypass construction. Signs will indicate the detour. Cars will not be able to pass through the construction zone. For best access to Grinnell and Lake Josephine Trails, start from the South Shore Trailhead at the south end of Many Glacier Hotel.

Primitive camping at Many Glacier Campground will not be available in Fall 2024 due to construction. Many Glacier Campground’s regular summer season is from early June to mid-September.

 

This map shows the Swiftcurrent construction closure in the Many Glacier Valley. It highlights trail closures in red and trail detour routes in green and purple. No vehicle, bike, or foot traffic is allowed in the closure area.

 

Timeframe of Road Work and Project Construction in Affected Location (project dates highlighted in yellow)		June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov
North Fork
Inside North Fork Road	Grading and road work throughout the summer. Major road work between Camas and Anaconda Creek could impact hiker/biker travel.
Polebridge–Glacier Drive to North Fork Entrance	Expect 30-minute delays on Glacier Drive throughout the summer.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Going-to-the-Sun Road between Sprague Creek and North Lake McDonald Road	Final phase of construction begun in 2023. Expect 30-minute daytime delays.
Upper McDonald Creek Bridge	Full closure April 2023 through late summer 2024.
Many Glacier
Many Glacier–Swiftcurrent	Starting in mid-September, the road past the Many Glacier Hotel will be closed to all traffic. Access to area trails will be allowed via a pedestrian detour route.
Many Glacier Road	Dust mitigation treatment begins late June, weather permitting.
Other
Park Headquarters	Rehabilitation of roads and parking lot. Minimal impacts to visitors.
Fiber Optic Installation–West Glacier	Minimal traffic delays. Possible single lane traffic on Going-to-the-Sun Road up to Grinnell Drive for 2–3 weeks.	Dates TBD
Fiber Optic Installation–East Glacier and St. Mary	Possible single lane traffic along MT-49 to East Glacier Ranger Station for 1–2 weeks. Minimal traffic impacts expected in St. Mary.	Dates TBD
Fiber Optic Installation–Many Glacier	Possible single lane traffic on Many Glacier Road. Work completed within 4–6 weeks.	Dates TBD