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Sun Road between Loop and Logan Pass closes Oct. 20

| October 9, 2008 11:00 PM

Glacier National Park officials announce the winter closure of the eight-mile alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) between the Loop and Logan Pass on Monday, Oct. 20 at 8 a.m. Once winterization is completed, this section of road will be reopened for hiking and bicycling as weather and road conditions permit.

This alpine closure allows park personnel to prepare the Sun Road for the winter.

According to Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright, the closing date allows park personnel more time to winterize the upper roadway in a safe manner without endangering employees who may be forced to work in hazardous weather conditions.

The east side of Logan Pass between Logan Pass and Jackson Glacier Overlook closed this fall on Sept. 22 to allow for road repair work near the East Tunnel. The lower elevation section between St. Mary and Jackson Glacier Overlook remains open 14 miles for vehicle use.

Despite the alpine section's closure, weather permitting, 37.5 miles of the Sun Road will remain open for vehicle use. This includes 23.5 miles from the West Glacier entrance to the Loop on the west side and the 14 miles from St. Mary to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side

Park visitors are urged to check the Park's Web site at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm or call (800) 226-7623 for current road status.