Straight from the Source: Press Release from Lolo National Forest Service:
MISSOULA, Mont.—Construction is continuing into October on a bridge replacement project on 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.
The project was originally anticipated to be complete by October 1st however construction delays have extended the completion schedule to November 1. The bridge 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. The road has been closed at Highway 12, adjacent to the bridge location, and extending 0.10 miles up Elk Meadows Road since July 22.
“We recognize that this is a popular travel route this time of year for a number of fall activities,” said Shaun O’Connor, Deputy District Ranger for the Missoula Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest. “The extended closure is an inconvenience however, the new bridge will facilitate access to this area for many years to come.”
There is an alternative route available that provides access to similar fall color views 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.
Once complete, this $847,225 project funded by the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund established by the Great American Outdoors Act, improves critical infrastructure essential to the use and enjoyment of the Lolo National Forest.
For additional information about the Forest Service implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/gaoa.
For more information about the Lolo National Forest, please visit the website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/lolo or follow updates on Facebook and X.
