+--------+---------------------+-----------+--------------------------+
| ![     | **National Park     |           | Flagstaff Area National  |
| ](medi | Service**           |           | Monuments                |
| a/imag |                     |           |                          |
| e1.png | ## U.S. Departm     |           | 6400 North Highway 89    |
| ){widt | ent of the Interior |           |                          |
| h="0.7 |                     |           | Flagstaff, AZ 86004      |
| 770833 |                     |           |                          |
| 333333 |                     |           | 928-526-1157 phone       |
| 333in" |                     |           |                          |
| h      |                     |           | 928-526-4259 fax         |
| eight= |                     |           |                          |
| "0.993 |                     |           |                          |
| 75in"} |                     |           |                          |
+--------+---------------------+-----------+--------------------------+

**Flagstaff Area National Monuments**

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- **February 21, 2007**

#### Bob Van Belle, (928) 526-1157 (X275)

**Road Construction Work Planned For Wupatki -- Sunset Crater Volcano
Scenic Loop Road**

**FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA** -- Rehabilitation of the Wupatki--Sunset Crater
Volcano Scenic Loop Road, also known as Forest Road 545, is scheduled to
begin in early March. The Scenic Loop Road is the primary access route
for both Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National
Monument, including the visitor centers for both parks, the Lenox Crater
Trail, the Lava Flow Trail, and the many beautiful and well-preserved
pueblos of Wupatki National Monument. Also planned in the project is the
rehabilitation and improvement of the visitor parking area at the
Wupatki National Monument Visitor Center, creating improved parking
spaces and a wider turnaround for tour busses and other large vehicles.

The project will rehabilitate approximately 22 miles of deteriorated and
worn road surface, extending from Wupatki National Monument's north
entrance off Highway 89, continuing through the entire park, and ending
at the Coconino National Forest boundary, about five miles south of
Wupatki's south entrance. The road surface will be pulverized, scraped
clean, and resurfaced with new road base and asphalt. Work is scheduled
to be completed by mid-to-late summer.

The \$5.7 million dollar project is being funded and administered by the
Federal Highway Administration, in partnership with the National Park
Service and the USDA Forest Service. The National Park Service and
Federal Highway Administration are committed to maintaining "shared-use"
of the road during the project. As a result, both parks and the Scenic
Loop Road will be open during construction, with a maximum of 30 minutes
total delays for a trip around the entire Scenic Loop Road. No
construction activities are currently planned on Fridays, Saturdays, or
Sundays, allowing minimal disruption for weekend visitors to the two
parks for the duration of the project.

"We're excited to see this much-needed project getting underway,"
commented Superintendent Palma Wilson. "The new and improved road will
allow a safer and more enjoyable experience for visitors driving the
Scenic Loop, while providing enhanced protection of resources with
improved turnouts, parking areas, and road shoulders."

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