PETERSBURG, W.Va., December 15, 2017 – Monongahela National Forest officials are preparing to implement the winter closure of the roads in the Dolly Sods area. Gates on Forest Roads 19 and 75, leading to Dolly Sods, will be closed January 2, 2018. These roads are closed to motor vehicle use from January to early April every year to provide for public safety due to highly variable road conditions in the winter months.
“Visitor safety is very important to the Forest Service,” said Troy Waskey Cheat-Potomac District Ranger. “We found that not all forest visitors were prepared for the snowy and icy conditions on Forest Roads 19 and 75. By the time they realized they were in trouble, they couldn’t turn around and needed emergency responders and a tow truck to rescue them. This put too many people at risk unnecessarily.”
The road closures were expanded to lower elevation locations last winter with assistance from Grant County officials. The Forest Service is continuing to work with local landowners and residents affected by the road closures to ensure they have access to their property. Landowners and residents who still need access behind the gates can contact the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District for assistance.
Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 75 are scheduled to reopen by mid-April, 2018. “We will monitor road conditions in March and will reopen the roads when weather permits,” Waskey said.
For more information, contact the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District at 304-257-4488 or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/
