Projects to temporarily close roads in Chattahoochee National Forest

The Federal Highway Administration is preparing to improve travel through the Chattahoochee National Forest. Contractors for the agency will repair several roads and replace a bridge. Much of the road work addresses damage caused by a major flood event in September of 2009. That work is carried out through the Emergency Relief of Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Program. Other road work is conducted through the Federal Highways Program. This program provides funding to resurface, restore, rehabilitate, or reconstruct certain public roads that provide access to or are within National Forests or Grasslands.

While the Forest Service is not administering the projects, we will do our best to provide updates on all the projects taking place in the Forest as they progress. Check back here for updates.

The ERFO program will include work on the following roads:

FSR 54C Abe Gap
FSR 92 Red Root Road
FSR 389 Frady Branch Road
FSR 92E Brady Hill Road
FSR 1043 Goolsby Road
FSR 907 Power Line Road
FSR 908 Long Hole Road

The Frady Branch Road work is of particular interest to many people who use the Frady Branch Trail System was initially closed for public safety due to the extent of damage to the road. The trail is open to the public but the trail head and parking area remain closed until repairs are completed. The flood actually washed out some trails and a big culvert near the entrance to trailhead parking area. Work is expected to start on Forest Service Road 389, Frady Branch Road, in early November 2011.

Another major project is the replacement of the Coleman River Bridge on Forest Service Road 70, the Tallulah River Road. This work is expected to begin in late October. Since some of the work requires tree felling, travelers should expect minor delays of 15 to 20 minutes during those times. A temporary crossing will be installed while the new bridge is built.

While these projects may cause some inconvenience, it will be well worth it to have a better and safer road system that will benefit visitors and our local communities.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com