Elkins, W.Va. (WVDN) — The Forest Service will begin road construction on Forest Road 86 Monday, 20 July 2026 to repair flood damage, improve public safety, and restore reliable access to recreation areas and nearby communities. The Forest Service will be closing FR 86-Williams River Road from the intersection of FR 216 to the intersection with WV Route 150 starting Monday, 20 July 2026.
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 from Dyer, WV from the west. Access routes will shift as project progresses. Access will include access to Tea Creek Campground and Three Forks Trailhead. 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 over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
