OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Traffic along U.S. Highway 101 is down to one lane this morning (Tuesday) near Lake Crescent as state Department of Transportation crews fix a guard rail damaged by a fallen tree.
The work at milepost 230 of Highway 101 just west of Lake Sutherland Road is expected to wrap up at 4 p.m. today.
Traffic is alternating through one lane with a flagger on site, Transportation spokeswoman Kara Mitchell said.
Mitchell said the fallen tree was reported blocking Highway 101 at about 3 a.m. Friday.
Transportation crews arrived to find that the tree, which was about 3 feet in diameter, already had been cut up by a passing logging crew and the road cleared, Mitchell said.
Mitchell said state crews had to coordinate with Olympic National Park officials before they could begin work since the affected stretch of Highway 101 runs through the park.
“We have to work with the park before we can touch anything or do anything,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said Transportation crews were fixing the guard rail while National Park staff were removing the tree.
________
Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
