ELKINS, W.Va. (WVDN) — The Forest Service will soon begin road construction on Forest Road 76 and Forest Road 86 to repair flood damage, improve public safety and restore reliable access to recreation areas and nearby communities.
Visitors and residents should expect travel impacts, including temporary closures, detours and increased construction traffic beginning in late June or early July as construction activities begin in active work areas.
Work on Forest Road 76 will focus on embankment stabilization in the Cranberry area, including locations near Baranshee drainage and the Upper Cranberry area. Work on Forest Road 86 will include base repair and resurfacing in the Williams River area. Construction schedules may shift depending on contractor availability, weather, field conditions and other operational needs.
During construction, some road sections will be closed in phases while crews are working. Through-travel may not be available in certain areas, and visitors may need to use alternate routes that are longer or less direct. Access to private property will be maintained at all times, and access to key recreation destinations will be maintained whenever possible.
Recreation sites are expected to remain accessible through alternative routes via Forest Road 101 and County Road 46/2 near Dyer, which include access to Forest Road 76 from the north route, Cranberry Campground, Big Rock Campground and Woodbine, and to Forest Road 86, Tea Creek Campground and Three Forks Trailhead. Access restrictions and alternate routes will adjust as project segments are completed.
Visitors should plan ahead, allow extra travel time, watch for signs and flaggers, and avoid entering active construction zones. For safety reasons, vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles will not be permitted through active work areas.
The Forest Service will provide additional updates as schedules are finalized, including closure dates, detour information and access guidance. Updates will be shared through official Forest Service communications, forest alerts, social media, district offices and future news releases. Visitors are asked to respect all posted closures and avoid attempting to bypass the affected area. Updates will be shared on the Monongahela National Forest website and social media as new information becomes available.
About the Forest Service
The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology, and rooted in communities, the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which more than 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
