Bridge repairs to temporarily close Ochoco NF road segments

Several road segments that access popular recreation sites on the Ochoco National Forest will temporarily close this fall while engineers complete needed maintenance work to increase the longevity and load-carrying capacity of three bridges.

Visitors are encouraged to use alternate driving routes during bridge work, and they’re welcome to call the Forest Service at (541) 416-6500 for alternate driving directions.

Visitors that need to be in the area of these projects are encouraged to use caution and be on the lookout for construction equipment.

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 18 and lasting for two weeks, contractors will close the road that accesses the Stein’s Pillar Trailhead (Forest Service Road 3300500) from its junction with Forest Service Road 33 up to Rocky Butte. The trailhead will be inaccessible during this time.

Starting Tuesday, Sept. 24, contractors will close the road that accesses Wildcat Campground (Forest Service Road 3300300). The campground will remain unavailable for public use through the remainder of the year.

Both bridges are deteriorating and currently limit both administrative and public access to high use recreation sites. Repairing and replacing the deteriorating timber members will restore full use of these bridges and their longevity. It will increase their load carrying capacity to effectively allow for highway legal loads, including fire engines, garbage disposal, and toilet pumping.

Additionally, contractors are tentatively scheduled to close Forest Service Road 58 at Rager Ranger Station to conduct needed upgrades on the bridge over Rager Creek just east of the compound. The closure is expected to start during the final week of September and last two weeks, reopening in early October.

For more information, contact Patrick Lair a 541 416-6647 or patrick.lair@usda.gov