Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Road Repair Update

Baker City, Ore.– This summer several roadways are being repaired, some road work has been completed and other roads are being scheduled for repair on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

“Forest users, including recreationists, are advised to plan their trip to the forest accordingly, since some roads are still closed or in the process of being repaired,” said Nola Driskell, Forest Engineer. “At construction sites, travelers may experience delays and rough driving conditions. It is important to make sure their vehicle is suitable for the road condition.”

Roads affected by construction:
- Forest Road 66 (Fish Lake Road) – Repairs began this week on the southern section of the road. Completion is expected in approximately 30 days. Road improvement work on the northern section of the road will follow. The road will be open to traffic during reconstruction work (some traffic delays expected).

- Forest Road 39 (Hells Canyon Scenic Byway/Wallowa Mountain Loop Road) approximately 1.4 miles N of State Hwy 86 to the north side of Lake Fork Bridge – It is anticipated that construction with a two-lane gravel surface road would be completed by mid-November. Paving work is scheduled for the summer of 2011. One lane of the road will be open to traffic during the paving work. Federal Highways is leading the project.

- Forest Road 7785 (North Fork Catherine Creek) – The road is now open, but there is still construction work underway. There could be traffic delays.

- Big Canyon Road (Forest Road 8270) – Due to a culvert replacement project on Sage Creek, the road is closed at the junction with Forest Road 8270050. Expect delays of up to 15 min. through July 30. The road is located southeast of Minam off State Highway 82.

- Forest Road 950 – The road, located off Catherine Summit, southeast of Union, Oregon, is closed through August 15, for culvert work on Scout Creek.

- Forest Road 73 (Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway or Anthony Lakes Highway) – Construction begins at the Forest boundary and continues for approximately 10 miles to the junction with Forest Road 43 (Ladd Canyon Road), past Anthony Lakes. Expect delays of up to one hour through the summer months.

Road work completed:

- Forest Road 7745 (East Eagle Creek Road)
- Forest Road 7700 (Main Eagle Creek Road), between Forest Road 7015 (Empire Gulch) and Forest Road 7020.
- Forest Road 6510 (Marble Pass Road)

Roads being scheduled for repair:

-Forest Road 7700 (Main Eagle Road) – A section of this road is still closed due to flood damage. The closure runs from approximately 1.25 miles SE of Tamarack Campground to approximately 1.7 miles NW of the intersection with Forest Road 7745 (East Eagle Creek Road).

- Forest Road 4230 (Freezeout Road) – This road, located off the Lower Imnaha River Road, remains closed due to flood damage.

As repairs are completed, updated information can be found on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest website or by contacting local Wallowa-Whitman National Forest offices.