Elk Meadows Bridge on Lolo Forest to be replaced this summer
The bridge on the scenic Elk Meadows Road, Lolo National Forest System Road 451, that goes along the Bitterroot Mountains from the Lolo Pass Visitor Center on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests to the Lolo National Forest near Lolo, Mont., will be replaced this summer.
The bridge in question is located at the eastern end of Elk Meadows Road where it intersects Highway 12 and crosses West Fork Lolo Creek, about 10 miles west of Lolo. Construction is anticipated to begin July 22 and will be completed in early October. The Elk Meadows Road will be closed at Highway 12, adjacent to the bridge location, and extending 0.10 miles up Elk Meadows Road.
For those wishing to take a scenic loop drive, an alternative trip can be completed by connecting to Forest Road 37, West Fork Butte Lookout Road, which connects back to Highway 12 at the Earl Tennant administrative site. For those wishing to access the lower reaches of Elk Meadows Road, this same detour can be used.
“This important bridge connects to many miles of key forest roads that provide access for land managers, recreationists, and travelers to manage and enjoy the National Forest,” said Crystal Stonesifer, District Ranger, Missoula Ranger District, Lolo National Forest. “While lengthy, the specified detour retains access during construction to these same landscapes and roads.”
The Forest Service awarded a contract to Highland Construction Services LLC to complete the $847,225 project.
This investment was made possible by the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund established by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to address the Forest Service’s deferred maintenance backlog while improving critical infrastructure essential to the use and enjoyment of National Forests.
GAOA addresses the growing $8.6 billion backlog of deferred maintenance on national forest and grasslands. The Forest Service currently administers more than 370,000 miles of roads, 13,900 trail and road bridges, 160,000 miles of trails, 1,500 dams and reservoirs, 1,500 communications sites, and 30,000 recreation sites across the United States and Puerto Rico.
For additional information about the Forest Service implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/gaoa.