Major road repairs set for two forest areas

Areas around Nelder Grove and Whiskey Falls will be getting substantial upgrades soon, according to Sierra National Forest officials.

Two major road repair contracts were awarded for the forest areas. Both contracts will address substantial storm-related damage on key access routes throughout the Bass Lake Ranger District.

They are the first of three significant road repair projects planned to restore and improve public access across the district.

The third project, Clover Meadow, is currently under evaluation and expected to move forward.

Forest officials said these are all part of larger agency efforts to rebuild and repair damage following major storms. Nelder Grove and Whiskey Falls areas fall under a multiyear $186 million infrastructure repair program on the SNF.

The projects will cover repairs and maintenance spanning more than 270 miles of forest roads.

Planned improvements include clearing debris, brushing vegetation to improve visibility, removing overgrown shoulders, adding new base rock and riprap to stabilize road surfaces and slopes and restoring drainages to prevent erosion and road damage.

The repairs will also support long-term resource protection by improving water management and reducing sediment delivery to nearby watersheds.

Once construction begins, visitors may encounter heavy equipment including loaders, graders and dump trucks. Short delays are possible in active work zones including temporary traffic controls.

Contract road repairs are expected to begin soon. Officials said they remain committed to maintaining safe and accessible roadways for all visitors.