Closures on Woods Creek Road scheduled due to construction

The Bitterroot National Forest is planning to install a new bottomless pipe arch this spring on the West Fork Ranger District’s Woods Creek Road #5669 at milepost 3.5. The work is scheduled to begin May 19.

Due to the nature of the work and heavy equipment parked on Woods Creek Road (milepost 3.5), the road will be closed during installation of the pipe arch. Signs will be posted in the area alerting drivers to the closure. The work is expected to last for two weeks.

Following the completion of the bottomless culvert at milepost 3.5, work will begin on the construction of another new bottomless pipe arch on Woods Creek Road #5669. There will also be heavy equipment parked on the road, as well as signs alerting drivers to the closure and any hazards. This work is expected to last for two weeks as well. Dates and times are subject to change due to weather or other factors.

Access above closures through Beaver Creek Road #91 is still available during construction to access Horse Creek Pass area, road and weather conditions permitting.
Currently, many areas above these two pipe arches are not accessible by standard vehicles due to snow and ice covering the road. The project will mostly impact over-snow capable vehicles.

The forest is replacing the culverts at these locations along with doing road repairs and other improvements. The current culvert is not sufficient in size and during high runoff may pose potential risks to the road and fish. Besides increasing stream flows, the new culvert incorporates stream simulation to improve the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms.

For more information, contact the West Fork Ranger District at (406) 821-3269 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot.