Stimulus money funded 100 miles of road work

The Westside Hungry Horse Reservoir Road, No. 895, reopened to vehicle traffic on Oct. 28. Visitors are advised to remain alert for trucks and other equipment and road shoulders that are still soft.

"We appreciate the public's patience and understanding over the last year as we worked on this project," Flathead National Forest supervisor Chip Weber said. "I imagine many were out hunting or otherwise enjoying the area this past weekend, and I am excited for them to experience the road improvements firsthand."

The 11-mile long repaving and resurfacing project, funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus money, began last fall.

"What was accomplished with this ARRA funding was more than the forest would have been able to do in 25 years with its own resources," Weber said.

The resurfacing of the Eastside Hungry Horse Reservoir Road and the Westside Hungry Horse Road beyond the first 11 miles was previously completed with ARRA funding. In total, more than 100 miles of road around the Hungry Horse Reservoir have been improved using federal stimulus money.

The Flathead National Forest also reports that Coal Creek Road, No. 317, located up the North Fork, will remain closed to public use through Nov. 11 near mile mark 3.5. Additional time is needed to construct a curtain wall to drain and stabilize the area and prevent further slumping.

Cyclone Creek Road, No. 909, off Hay Creek Road, can be used as an alternate route around construction. Vehicles will not be able to drive the loop from Big Creek Road, No. 316, to Hay Creek, No. 376.

For more information, contact the Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District at 387-3800 or the Spotted Bear Ranger Station at 758-5376.