Bozeman, MT- June 8, 2023 – Two popular Custer Gallatin National Forest roads on the Bozeman Ranger District will see major road improvements starting early June; the East Fork Hyalite Road in Upper Hyalite Canyon and Jackson Creek Road in the Bangtails.
The work on East Fork Hyalite Road, slated to begin on June 20th and continue through September 30th, will include a road closure. The East Fork Road will be closed to all traffic from 8-5:30 Mondays-Thursdays to allow crews to accomplish work. The road will be open outside the closure hours and fully on Fridays, weekends and all federally observed holidays. Road work between the Chisolm Y to the popular Palisade Falls trailhead will include widening, minor realignment, new culverts, improved drainage and paving. Trailheads impacted by this closure include Palisade Falls and Emerald Lake trailheads.
The Hyalite work is part of a multi-year project adding to the improvements from the past three years on Hyalite Canyon Road (#62), the East Fork Hyalite Road (#6280) and numerous recreational sites. The Hyalite project is made possible by the Federal Lands Transportation Program.
The Jackson Creek Road (#977) project is part of the $285-million-dollar investment made possible by the newly created National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, established in 2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act. The continuation of this work will begin early June and will add improved surfacing, drainage and pull-outs along the first 4 miles of road up to the trailhead. The public can expect construction delays of up to 30 minutes or longer during culvert installations.
“The improvements on both roads will have great public benefit and we are pleased to resume the work on these multi-year projects,” said Bozeman District Ranger, Corey Lewellen. “We realize that both projects include closures that will temporarily impact access, especially on East Fork Hyalite. However, the long-term benefits of each project will ultimately provide for better user experience and minimize impacts to resources.”
Many other trailheads in both Hyalite and the Bangtails will be open and available. Visitors are encouraged to explore these other areas during road closures. For timing and additional information please call the Bozeman Ranger District Office at (406) 522-2520.
