People who attend the fireworks show at Mount Rushmore might notice there’s still some construction to do at the memorial, but a park official said that won’t affect the visitor experience.
For the past year, parts of the visitor area have been blocked off. It’s part of an $8 million improvement project.
Maureen McGee-Ballinger is the park’s spokeswoman. She said workers have tried to complete most of the first phase of construction before President Trump arrives for Friday’s big fireworks show.
“There are a few things left,” McGee-Ballinger said. “We have a punch-list of things to do.”
New concrete walkways are useable, but they’ll need a final sandblasting to reveal an embedded design. Still on the to-do list is replacing one of two elevators in the visitor center. But McGee-Ballinger said the elevator is OK to use in the meantime. And there’s a plan to improve exit routes from the bottom of the amphitheater.
“None of these things would in any way impact the July third event,” McGee-Ballinger said.
In other words, people will have unrestricted movement around the visitor area for the first time in a year. But McGee-Ballinger said there will be some areas off-limits to the public during the fireworks event. The presidential walking trail, which leads up under the faces, will be closed for security purposes.
The improvements began last July. The visitor center has new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. The restrooms are renovated. Workers have fixed some leaks in the roof. And they’ve widened and reconfigured the Avenue of Flags walkway.
The next phase of the project will begin later this month. Workers will replace walkways in front of Carvers' Café and the gift shop. Visitors will notice the construction, but none of the visitor areas will be closed.
-Seth Tupper is SDPB's business and economic development reporter.
