Expect another summer of slowdowns at Fishing Bridge.
Yellowstone released their three major road construction projects during Yellowstone’s 2020 season. Another $75 million dollars will be spent to improve road safety and access, taking away a significant part of Yellowstone’s $586 million dollar maintenance backlog.
Fishing Bridge was one of Yellowstone’s significant road construction projects in 2019. This has led to long slowdowns for anyone traveling to and from the East Entrance. Some local business owners attribute this construction as part of the reason for Cody’s slower summer for tourism.
The main thrust of the construction is to create a quarter-mile bridge, causeway, and viaduct to restore Pelican Creek and the adjacent wetland. The flow of the creek has been blocked by a man-made earth bank, built during the construction of the original road in 1902. Additional work includes improvements to piers and decks at Fishing Bridge, creating additional turn lanes, and constructing a larger parking lot.
The Fishing Bridge and Pelican Creek construction will be completed in 2020, but will likely extend throughout the entire summer season. If Yellowstone experiences another year of unseasonable weather, it could extend the completion of the project.
