Forest Service representatives say it was a productive week for Tidewater Contractors and the Forest Service along the 13 mile stretch of the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (FSR 39) that is currently under reconstruction. The contractor was busy clearing trees along the roadside, putting up signs, and placing barriers in preparation for more work to come.
Two gates have been installed and are in place for the remainder of the project. One gate is located at the south end of the project area across the 39 Rd at the junction of the 39 Rd and HWY 86. A second gate is located across the 39 Rd near the Junction of the 39 Rd and FSR 66, the Duck Creek Rd detour route. (Be advised, there is accumulated snow on the detour.)
Both gates are locked, however project lead, Randy Strohm 541-519-4192, will be piloting hunters through the construction zone at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 8-10 to accommodate for the second Bull Elk season.
The gates will be unlocked and left open this winter when construction is complete for the season and the 39 Rd becomes a winter snowmobile route. The Wallowa-Whitman will send out an update when this occurs.
Construction signs are in place at several key locations highlighting the “Road Work Ahead”. Signs are currently located near Highway 350 (Little Sheep Creek) at the north end of the 39 Rd, just outside of the cities of Imnaha and Halfway, and leading up to the construction zone from the north and south ends.
Temporary signs have also been installed in popular hunting and recreation areas outside of Halfway and at the southern entrance of the detour route along Duck Creek Road. An expanded sign plan is being considered for next spring and summer.
Thank you for taking the time to read this update, for addition information on the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway please visit www.hellscanyonbyway.com and www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman.
