A 21-mile scenic loop road in North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park is set to reopen on Tuesday after being closed for more than six years due to severe infrastructure damage. The road, which winds through the rugged Badlands, offers visitors unparalleled access to wildlife and panoramic views.
The closure began in spring 2019 when a 150-foot section of roadway slumped because of storms, erosion, and ageing infrastructure. Subsequent sinkholes and other issues forced visitors to turn back, missing iconic vistas such as Scoria Point Overlook and Badlands Overlook.
The reconstruction project, which cost about $51 million, was primarily funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. Work included full road reconstruction, drainage improvements, slope reconstruction, and pavement resurfacing. The project faced challenges from continuing soil failures, higher-than-expected contract bids, and erosive storms.
Chris Kman, a local souvenir shop owner and park tour guide, expressed the community's relief, noting that the scenic spot had been missed. The reopening coincides with the grand opening of the nearby Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library on July 4, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors.
The park, North Dakota's top tourist attraction, sees more than 700,000 visitors annually. The fully accessible loop road will allow them to explore the landscape that the 26th president explored in his youth, complete with vibrant bluffs, petrified tree stumps, and wildlife such as prairie dogs, bison, and wild horses.
