It was announced on Sept. 10 by the U.S. Forest Service that there will be segments of Skyline Drive closed to enable crews to engage in preparation of logging traffic.
The Manti-La Sal National Forest is working to improve roads that will accommodate the Black Timber Sale. Crews began to replace culverts on Skyline Drive on Sept. 9 and, as a result, sections of the road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Nov. 30. If crews finish work before that time, the roads will be fully opened earlier.
The closure applies to 22 miles of road that is between the intersection of Skyline Drive and State Route 29, which is the Orangeville to Ephraim Road to the gravel turnaround that is located on the ridge between Seeley and Staker Canyons.
These closures will occur while the crews are hard at work and will open again upon completion of said work. The closed areas will be open during the non-working hours, including to 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. slot daily and weekends. The Forest Service assures that the closed areas will be clearly marked.
The timing for the project is limited by several factors that include the need to complete environmental analyses, weather and the need to contract administration. The Forest Service stressed that it is imperative for the work to be completed before heavy snowfall begins. Harvesting operations may begin as soon as the fall and will be implemented, most likely, over the next 10 years.
To view the road closure order, as well as a map, please click here.