The final phases of the Spruce Railroad Trail construction project in Olympic National Park at Lake Crescent will begin in March with expected completion in November 2020, according to a press release.

Upcoming work will include restoring the Daley Rankin Tunnel, rockfall mitigation, retaining wall construction and paving the length of the trail and the Lyre River trailhead parking area.

During construction, East Beach Road will be closed at the intersection of Joyce-Piedmont Road. Camp David Jr. Road will be closed beyond the North Shore Picnic Area and Devil’s Punchbowl will only be accessible by boat.

The westbound portion of the Olympic Discovery and Pyramid Peak Trails will remain accessible from the North Shore Picnic Area on Camp David Jr. Road.

“We understand visitors will miss getting out on the trail while it is under construction and we look forward to its reopening and the creation of nearly 10 miles of universally accessible trail,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum in a press release.

The Spruce Railroad Trail follows the historic railroad grade of the Spruce Railroad, built in 1918 and abandoned in 1951.

Once completed, the trail will be accessible to hikers, bikers, horseback riders and those with disabilities.

It will become a piece of the 134-mile long Olympic Discovery Trail that will eventually connect Port Townsend to La Push.

Past improvements to the Spruce Railroad Trail including restoration of the 450-foot-long McFee Tunnel, bank stabilization, culvert installation and demolition to allow for the construction of the new 33-car parking lot at the Lyre River Trailhead.

The $5 million final phase was funded in part by the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, which funds national park infrastructure projects. The remaining $4 million is being funded by Clallam County.