Zion National Park officials have revised the construction schedule for road work on the east entrance to the park, a portal that saw more than 2.7 million visitors in 2009.

A 9.5-mile section of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (State Road 9) leading to the Mount Carmel Tunnel will undergo a $6 million makeover beginning June 1, according to a park news release. The restoration of the road, its first since it opened in 1930, involves removing old asphalt and improving drainage to prevent sloughing of the steep hillsides.

"Zion Canyon, the most visited area of the park, and its famous trails and attractions will remain open and accessible," said Superintendent Jock Whitworth in the news release. "Zion National Park will be open for the duration of the project."

Access to the park from Interstate 15 via State Road 9 will not be affected by the construction; only travel between Highway 89 and the park will be in the construction zone.

Work begins June 1, but traffic will not be affected until June 7. Delays and closures are scheduled to continue Monday through Friday until Oct. 28.

Traffic will be affected as follows:

Monday through Friday, the road will be closed to travel between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. From 4 p.m. to 9 a.m., the road will be open to vehicles, but under traffic control with likely delays because of night work. No stopping, parking, bicycles or pedestrians will be allowed on the road.

On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the road will be open 24 hours, traffic control may be in effect.

There will be special tunnel escort hours for large vehicles Mondays through Fridays between 7 and 9 a.m. and from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. until July 31. All vehicles 7 feet 10 inches wide or wider and/or 11 feet 4 inches tall or taller are required to have an escort and can travel only during these times. This includes most dual wheeled pickup trucks, recreational vehicles and tour buses, according to the news release.

After July 31, the hours may be shortened due to lack of daylight.

Park officials warn the road in the construction area will be uneven at times, so are encouraging motorists to drive slowly. Bicyclists will not be allowed in the construction zone for the duration of the project because of safety concerns, the news release states.

When the road is completed, it will be the color of typical asphalt, the news release states. In the near future, the road will be chip sealed and regain the red color for which it is famous.

For updated information, Call 435-772-3256 (press 1, then 4) or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/zion.