Landmark in the Sky: GoingtotheSun Road

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Landmark in the Sky Going-to-the-Sun Road
Keeping Visitors
on Glacier National Parks
Historic Landmark in the Sky
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Landmark in the Sky Going-to-the-Sun Road
While Improvements Are Ongoing
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Landmark in the Sky Going-to-the-Sun Road
Glacier National Park 1,013,000 acres

• Going-to-the-Sun Road
• 50 miles
• National Historic Landmark (1997)
• National Civil Engineering Landmark (1985)
• National Register of Historic Places
• (1983)

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Landmark in the Sky Historical Overview
Stephen Mather, First Director, National Park
Service
Western Park to Park Loop
Stephen Mathers Vision An interstate automotive
route connecting western parks in a great loop
PARK TO PARK HIGHWAY
SYSTEM
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Landmark in the Sky Historical Overview
Field Reconnaissance and Route Planning
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Landmark in the Sky Historical Overview

• The original road construction took 16 years to
  complete.
• By 1937, all major structures had been
  constructed. The final cost included
• 2.5 million
• 3 human lives

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Landmark in the Sky A look back in history
Roll em
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Landmark in the Sky
Natural Forces
at WorkThen
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Landmark in the Sky
Natural Forces at WorkAnd
Now
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Landmark in the Sky
Avalanches Take Their Toll
Recent spring avalanche at Haystack Creek. Photo
taken by visitor just hours after public Show
Me Day held at that location.
Previous avalanche damage at Haystack Creek
discovered by NPS plow operators during spring
opening.
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Landmark in the Sky Key Project Milestones

• Entire rehabilitation project and mitigation
  improvements estimated 140-170M (2002 dollars)
• 13 Million obligated prior to 2005 Highway bill
  
• 2005 Highway Bill (SAFETY-LU) specified 50M to
  be augmented with Park Roads Program funding

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Landmark in the Sky Key Project Milestones

• Transportation Fee beginning in May 2006 5
  embedded in normal entrance fee to augment
  transit costs
• 2007 kick off for both major road work and
  mitigation improvements
• Decisions as to long-term park use of transit,
  and transit support facilities will emerge as the
  project and public use evolves

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Traffic Guidelines Final Going-to-the-Sun Road
Rehabilitation Plan / EIS

• Logan Pass is always accessible from one side or
  another during the primary and shoulder season
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Up to 30-minute delays every
  day, all season between these peak season hours
• 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Up to
  1-hour delays, Monday through Thursday

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Traffic Guidelines Final Going-to-the-Sun Road
Rehabilitation Plan / EIS

• Variable scheduled delays with advance notice for
  night construction, Monday through Thursday
  between 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• Between September 15 and June 15 Portions of
  the alpine roadway may NOT be accessible to
  motorized traffic while contractors accelerate
  and extend construction work seasons.
• NOTE These scheduling specifications are
  allowed in all contracts yet will be determined
  by individual contract and contractor needs

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Landmark in the Sky Talking Points

• Going-to-the-Sun Road Information for 2006
• Weather and road conditions permitting, the
  entire 50mile Going-to-the-Sun Road will be open
  for two-way motorized traffic
• Visitors may expect a maximum of 30minute
  delays for a oneway trip across the
  Going-to-the-Sun Road during peak hours (10 a.m.
  3 p.m.)
• New services will provide a broader, more
  user-friendly park experience for visitors during
  the ongoing road improvements and in the future

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Landmark in the Sky Talking Points

• During non-peak hours, (8 10 a.m. and 3 8
  p.m.) travelers may experience up to 1hour
  delays for a one-way trip across the
  Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• Definitive nighttime delays are unknown at this
  time however, delays may occur between 8 p.m.
  8 a.m.
• Portions of the upper Going-to-the-Sun Road may
  not be accessible for motorized vehicle use as
  contractors accelerate rehabilitation roadwork.

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Landmark in the Sky Talking Points

• After years of planning and public involvement,
  the landmark Going-to-the-Sun Road is receiving
  much needed attention and rehabilitation.
  Planning, repair and rehabilitation of the
  Going-to-the-Sun Road has been underway since
  1988 however, comprehensive treatment of the
  alpine section starts in 2006.
• The National Park Service and its partner, the
  Federal Highway Administration, made a commitment
  to maintain shared use of the road throughout
  the rehabilitation process.

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Landmark in the Sky Talking Points

• During the peak visitor season (June 15
  September 15) there will only be temporary
  delays.
• June 15 September 15, 2006, the following
  schedule will be in effect during this peak
  visitor season
• September 15, 2006 June 15, 2007, the
  following schedule will be in effect during the
  shoulder and winter seasons
• Except when closed by weather conditions, Logan
  Pass will be accessible from at least one side.

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Landmark in the Sky Talking Points

• Non-motorized public access will oftentimes be
  allowed on segments of the Going-to-the-Sun Road
  that are not open for motorized vehicle traffic.
• Further information about the rehabilitation of
  Going-to-the-Sun Road, pending road work,
  commercial tour operations within the park, and
  alternative transportation is available at
• http//www.nps.gov/glac/sunroad/whatsup.htm

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Landmark in the Sky Areas of Concern

• Drainage
• Pavement
• Stone Masonry Guard walls
• Stone Masonry Structures

• Geotechnical
• Natural hazards
• Erosion / Sloughing

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Landmark in the Sky
Our Commitment and
Goal

• After much public involvement, the NPS and FHWA
  are committed to reducing potential impacts of
  the Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation through
  mitigation (improvements) by minimizing impacts
  to
• Visitor experience
• Wildlife
• Historic character and cultural significance of
  the road
• Park concessioners, local economy and tourism
  industry
• Other park resources

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Landmark in the Sky Whats Been Happening
on the Going-to-the-Sun Road?

• Contract with Morgen and Oswood (Great Falls)
  was completed in fall 2005 that focused on
  structural improvements around West Tunnel and
  Triple Arches.- Work included construction of
  two segments of new generation removable guard
  rail.

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Landmark in the Sky Removable Guard Rail at
Haystack Creek Completed in 2005
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Landmark in the Sky
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Project Phases
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Landmark in the Sky Remaining Work

• Road Segments to be Rehabilitated (Actual
  sequencing / timing funding dependent)
• West Entrance to Avalanche
• Avalanche to West Tunnel
• West Tunnel to Haystack
• Haystack to Big Bend
• Big Bend to Oberlin Bend
• Oberlin Bend to Siyeh Bend
• Siyeh Bend to St. Mary

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Landmark in the Sky
2006 Road Work Phase V

• Phase V
• Primary work areas
• - Segments directly east and west of Logan Pass
  
• Work includes
• - Rock bolting
• - Drainage improvements
• - Slope stabilization
• - Guard wall / retaining wall reconstruction
  and rehabilitation

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Landmark in the Sky Phase V (2006) Road Work

• Phase V (Continued)
• Contract awarded last week
• - Mark Sandries Construction of Kalispell
• - Contract will be administered by FHWA
• - Work to be completed in one year (2006)

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Landmark in the Sky Phase V (2006) Road Work

• Phase V (Continued)
• Traffic Delays
• - Beginning in 2006, traffic delays may be
  expanded during shoulder hours (before 10 a.m.
  and after 3 p.m.)
• Handouts

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Landmark in the Sky Phase V (2006) Work Sites
Rockbolting and scaling at W. Tunnel portal
West Tunnel to Haystack
Drainage Improvements at Oberlin Bend
Stabilize Roadside and Stone Masonry Walls East
of Logan Pass
2006 Work Primary Work Sites
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Landmark in the Sky Phase V (2006) Work Sites
Two PRIMARY work sites include the following
Oberlin Bend (West of Logan Pass) Fixing
drainage problems including new culverts
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Landmark in the Sky 2006 Work Sites
Two PRIMARY work sites include the following
East of Logan Pass Stabilizing slopes and
adding retaining structures in the Big Drift area
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Landmark in the Sky 2006 Work Sites

• Third work site will be added to include repair
  of heavy rain damage (September 2005) below east
  side tunnel via contract modification to Phase V
• Work may not actually repair until fall 2006

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Landmark in the Sky 2007 Work Sites
GTSR 2007 Rehabilitation Planning
(West Tunnel to Haystack)
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Landmark in the Sky Beyond 2007

• Beyond Phase VI (2007) there is uncertainty
  about sequencing of work due to unknowns about
  future funding.
• Next federal Transportation Bill will determine
  project funding levels after 2010.
• Rehabilitation is still projected to be
  completed in 10-12 (/-) years.

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Landmark in the Sky
Citizens Advisory Committee
Going-to-the-Sun Road Citizens Advisory Committee
to advise the National Park Service in the
development of alternatives for reconstruction of
the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National
Park, focusing on road condition and
reconstruction strategies, including scheduling,
cost and measures to mitigate impacts on visitors
and local economies. These alternatives will
then be analyzed in an environmental document
that will provide the basis for the agency
decision."
1 Million dollars per day to the local
economy 2005 10 million non-resident visitors
to Montana 2005 2 million non-resident
visitors visited Glacier National Park
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Landmark in the Sky
Citizens Advisory Committee
Going-to-the-Sun Road Citizens Advisory
Committee recommendation

• Develop a strategy to mitigate the impact of
  rehabilitation on park visitors and local economy.

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Landmark in the Sky Mitigation Strategy

• Develop a strategy to mitigate the impact of road
  rehabilitation on park visitors and the local
  economy
• What is mitigation?
• - Improvements reduction of negative
  impacts

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Landmark in the Sky
Visitor Experience Improvements

• Transit Center, including
• Parking and Shuttle Bus Staging
• Improved Transit Services
• State-of-the-Art Communications Technology for
  shuttle locations and other user information
• Educational interpretive exhibits kiosks at
  transit stops
• Expanded Public Information Outreach

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Landmark in the Sky
Ongoing Planning Compliance

• Construction
• Phase V permits and consultation are complete
• Phase VI VII permits / review of construction
  drawings specifications are underway
• St. Mary Visitor Center Plan / Environmental
  Assessment
• Modifications due to transit operation,
  including parking lot
• Possible updates for visitor center exhibits
• Divide Creek flooding with respect to existing
  GTSR bridge (TBD)
• Outside performance area for Blackfeet drumming
  dancing programs and recreate a Blackfeet
  encampment in the area

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Landmark in the Sky
Ongoing Planning Compliance (Cont.)

• West Entrance Station Plan / Environmental
  Assessment
• Modify the building to improve the operation and
  make it accessible
• Add additional access lanes for visitors,
  construction traffic and employees, including
  swipe card or other card-reader technology
• Headquarters Area Wash Rack Plan / Environmental
  Assessment
• Most efficient location to support transit
  existing vehicle wash facilities inadequate
• Linked to overall campus plan for park
  headquarters area

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Landmark in the Sky Transit Route(s)

• Preferred Alternative includes three routes
• Apgar Circulator
• West GTSR Route
• East GTSR Route
• 30 min. frequency
• Timed transfers at Apgar,
• alpine to Logan Pass
• St. Mary

Preferred Alt.
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Landmark in the Sky
Possible Shuttle Vehicles

• Primary Heavy Duty (10-12 year life), Alternate
  Fueled, Low Floor ADA Compliant, 102 width, lt30
  feet, 24 passengers
• Augmented by Alpine busses 23 ft or less, 78
  width, ADA compliant, 12
  passengers

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Landmark in the Sky
Transit Partnering
Opportunities

• Partnering opportunities remain goals, but must
  be cost effective and within federal regulations
• Off season usage possibilities
• Flathead and Glacier County transit or other
  uses
• Montana Universities
• Yellowstone National Park
• Goal to distributed parking and ridership through
  feeder loop service and parking possibilities
• Cost effective Service Contract with public
  Transit Organizations possibilities, internal
  partnering most likely required
• Flathead County Eagle Transit
• Glacier County - Blackfeet Transit Driver
  training
• Lake County - Salish - Kootenai Transit Driver
  training

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Landmark in the Sky
State-of-the-Art
Communications

• Construction Work Zone
• Automated delay monitoring
• Automated traffic control
• Work site imagery and data communications
• Transit Functions
• Automated vehicle location for transit
  management
• Visitor ridership tracking
• On board and transit center passenger
  information
• Real time information to visitors en-route to
  Glacier
• MT 511 now operational other
  modes to follow

• Travel and Traffic Management
• Visitor pre-trip information Internet and radio
  real-time information will be provided transit
  center and visitor center kiosks

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Landmark in the Sky
Intelligent Transportation
Systems (ITS)

• Glacier National Parks Proposed Intelligent
  Transportation Systems (ITS)
• State-of-the-Art communication technology
• Glacier ITS capabilities will consist of four
  main components designed to minimize impacts from
  Sun Road rehabilitation activities
• - Work Zone Systems
• - Visitor Information Systems
• - Traffic/Incident Management System
• - Transit Systems

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Landmark in the Sky
Apgar Transit Plaza
Apgar Transit Center (ATC) Site

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Landmark in the Sky
Apgar Transit Plaza
Site Plan

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Landmark in the Sky
Apgar Transit Complex

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Landmark in the Sky Mitigation
Virtual Tour - Apgar Transit
Center

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Strategies
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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach (Phase II Recommendations)

• Market Research
• Benchmark survey for messaging very important to
  convey appropriate and accurate information to
  potential visitors
• Benchmark survey of potential and recent park
  visitors (Winter 2006)
• Gauge perceptions, opinions, attitudes about Sun
  Road rehabilitation (i.e. information sources,
  trip-planning considerations, etc.)
• On-line survey most economical and expeditious
  but decision to produce printed mailer due to NPS
  / OMB requirements cost efficiency

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach (Phase II Recommendations)

• Market Research (Continued)
• Privacy laws prohibit use of NPS and/or
  concessioner mail lists Partnering with Glacier
  Country Regional Tourism Commission to obtain
  10,000 names/addresses of recent contacts by
  those interested in visiting the Glacier National
  Park area.
• Tracking survey (2008) for mid-course
  corrections
• - Mid-course corrections for message
  changes as necessary
• - Sufficient lead-time to conduct through
  U of M and ITRR

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Strategies

• Message Development
• Conversion / message development to be derived
  from messaging benchmark survey (spring 2006)
• Messages incorporated into all print collateral,
  earned media, web site development, stakeholder
  outreach, staff training, frontliner (i.e.
  SuperHost handouts), etc.
• In-house design/development of campaign brand
  PDF (i.e. project logo, tagline, etc) for use in
  web site URL, earned media, stationary,
  letterhead, signs, newsletters, etc.

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Strategies

• Web Site
• Will expand existing park Web page to create own
  identity
• Just hired interpretive media specialist
• Needs clear project identity and recommend
  separate URL
• Seeking to purchase new domain names under .tvl
• Will incorporate links to MDOT, FHWA, etc. for
  road project information/links

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Strategies

• Stakeholder Outreach
• Critical to ensure frontline employees and
  gateway businesses carry accurate information and
  messages that do not convey negatively upon the
  project
• Need collateral materials for orientation
  sessions
• Front-liner training via Superhost program, etc.
  (2007 and beyond)
• Orientations and ongoing updates to Travel
  Montana and Glacier Country Call Centers
• NPS / FHWA staff will conduct

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Strategies

• Earned Media High priority Best bang for the
  buck, but very costly
• Ideally like to plan one trip to NYC in winter
  2007 for media round table to highlight milestone
  event (i.e. shuttle system start up)
• Park staff and budget capabilities will need to
  be evaluated in fall 2006 to determine if
  feasible
• May seek partnering opportunities for media
  blitz when shuttle goes into service
• Will be developing Glaciers Centennial program
  will focus PR/marketing around that event (2010)

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Strategies

• Collateral Material Important but very costly
  need to secure matching/in-kind resources
• Project newsletter
• - Print and electronic versions
• Park brochure (glossy map) funding uncertain
  (possibly redesign existing park unigrid
  maxifolder)
• Weekly e-Blast (June 15 to mid-Sept.) with map
  of park / road and current rehabilitation
  conditions, length of delays, weekly highlights

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Solutions

• Collateral Material (Continued)
• Padded tear-off single panel brochure (similar
  to Glacier Countrys Sun Road PR Campaign from
  late 1990s and Beartooth Highway flyer)
• - Key messages, map, shuttle schedule
• - Introduce logo / branding for transit
  system
• - If funds available, could potentially
  convert to
• stack card for statewide/regional
  distribution
• Trade Show Exhibit
• - Consulting with Dept. of Commerce to
  determine
• eligibility for MT DOC Trade Show Display
  funds
• - Priority trade shows TIA Powwow, NTA

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Solutions

• Paid Media Very effective, but too costly to
  purchase
• In-kind support offered by Travel Montana and
  will be sought elsewhere to include PDF (tagline,
  logo, Web site domain) in state publications,
  Glacier Country, CVBs, regional magazines, etc.
• Only avenue to pursue through pro bono or other
  partnerships
• - Potential for Ad Council campaign (i.e.
  Lewis Clark
• Bicentennial Commission)
• - Fort Clatsop Fort-to-the Sea Trail Project
  (i.e. pro bono PR
• provided by David Evans and Associates)
• Park concessioners / tourism travel
  organizations
• Will seek partnering opportunities

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Solutions

• Issue Crisis Management
• Internal coordination by agency personnel
• Crisis communications media training by FHWA /
  NPS
• Partnership opportunities
• Park staffing / organization will need to be
  re-evaluated to accomplish
• Campaign Management
• Internal coordination by NPS / FHWA agency
  personnel

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Solutions

• Documentary Film Important, but too costly to
  contract in-house productions planned for 2007
• Will produce 4-6-minute video / DVD, 15-20
  minute documentary and several short public
  service announcements (PSAs) in 2006 with FHWA
  videographer and technical production support
  from FHWA
• Marketing Plan will be developed by FHWA / NPS
  for final distribution and earned media exposure
  in 2007
• Creative elements, storyline, script contents,
  messages to be provided by NPS / FHWA staff
  strategic planning underway

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Solutions

• Documentary Film (Cont.)
• Short segments (30- and 60-second PSAs) will
  also be produced about the transit system for
  external distribution to news media outlets, area
  businesses, tourism organizations and others
• Will seek partnering opportunities for
  additional broadcast programming

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach Strategies

• Internet Outreach Most valuable but too costly
  to purchase
• Will pursue pro bono assistance and partnership
  with such as in-kind support from Travel
  Montana, Glacier Country Regional Tourism
  Commission, etc.
• Would gain broader awareness via Ad Council
  campaign would need additional cooperative
  partnership support to leverage
• Will seek partnering opportunities

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Landmark in the Sky Communications
Outreach

• Messages for Future Planning
• In 2007, Glacier National Park will implement a
  variety of new visitor services in coordination
  with the long-range Going-to-the-Sun-Road
  rehabilitation.
• These options and opportunities will include a
  Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle system and transit
  facilities, interpretive wayside exhibits along
  the roadway and other technological improvements
  and advancement such as real-time information on
  traffic conditions, etc.

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Landmark in the Sky
Preliminary Internet Web Site
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Landmark in the Sky eTour of Road History
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Landmark in the Sky Reasons to Celebrate

• Upcoming Milestones
• 75th Anniversary - International Peace Park
  Designation (2007)
• 75th Anniversary Going-to-the-Sun Road
  Dedication (7/15/2008)
• Glacier National Park Centennial (5/11/2010)

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Landmark in the Sky
Glacier National Park Centennial 2010
? Were also designing artwork for the parks
centennial
? In addition to this logo
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Landmark in the Sky Where to Find Current
Information about the Going-to-the-Sun Road
www.nps.gov/glac/sunroad/whatsup.htm

• Logo prototype

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Landmark in the Sky
Past, Present and Future
. . .
The desire of Glaciers first superintendent
William Logan and the first NPS Director, Stephen
Mather, reinforces the ongoing effort to preserve
and protect Glacier National Park The Crown of
the Continent - for our generation and for
generations yet to come.
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Landmark in the Sky
Questions and Comments?
Landmark in the Sky
Title from paper / presentation by Jack Gordon,
Landscape Architect/Going-to-the-Sun Road Project
Manager, Glacier NP, entitled Landmark in the
Sky The history and preservation of Glaciers
Going-to-the-Sun Road presented at the
Preserving the Historic Road in America
Conference, April 2004 in Portland, OR.
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Landmark in the Sky Going-to-the-Sun Road

• Questions?

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Landmark in the Sky
Contact Information Amy Vanderbilt Community
Outreach Special Events Coordinator
Glacier National Park P.O. Box 128 Glacier
National Park West Glacier, MT 59936
406-888-7906 406-888-7907 (fax)
amy_vanderbilt_at_nps.gov