The National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has awarded an $8.5 million contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to Anderson-Burton Construction, Inc, a general contracting company based in Arroyo Grande, CA.

The company will perform site preparation and grading; make improvements to existing park roads, paved vehicular service roads and parking, and utilities infrastructures (storm water, domestic water, sewer, power and telephone/network conduit). The contractor will also design and build a visitor contact station, integrating active and passive solar technologies; an entry station; maintenance/fire/EMS building; and maintenance yard. The entire project is off-grid and a photovoltaic (PV) system will power the facilities and use a roof-mounted array on the maintenance structure. The project is expected to be completed by the end of December 2011.

Motorists on State Highway 146 from Soledad to the west side of Pinnacles National Monument may experience an increase in traffic while equipment and supplies are delivered to the project site during the work week (Monday through Friday).

"We encourage motorists to be alert as they may encounter trucks on Highway 146 traveling to the project site. With the State Highway being so narrow in so many places there is a good chance motorists may have to wait for larger vehicles to pass. We realize this is a temporary interruption to what is typically a very quiet drive." Said Karen Beppler-Dorn, Park Superintendent.

Existing visitor facilities in the Chaparral Area will remain open until the new facilities are ready for occupancy. Feel welcome to visit Pinnacles