A road improvement project underway on the McKenzie Pass Highway will smooth out the ride for cyclists and drivers this summer, but testing out the changes could be delayed by weather.

The highway — a route to the Mount Washington and Three Sisters wilderness areas — typically opens on the third Monday of June. Paving work on the east side of the pass is underway, but a completion date is unknown because of cold weather and recent snow, said Kacey Davey, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

A federal grant is paying for improvements to the highway. The program and its grants are designed to improve access to federal lands, including recreation areas.

“We urge folks to please not use this highway when it is closed, especially this spring since there will be construction work happening on the highway behind closed gates,” said Davey.

The $4.1 million project will see the road repaved from the Dee Wright Observatory to Sisters. Other improvements include:

• Shoulder and bike-lane improvements and hazard removal.

• Installation of accessible bathrooms at Cold Springs Campground and a picnic site at Dee Wright Observatory.

• Bicycle parking at the observatory.

• Pullouts and interpretive panels installed throughout the corridor.