U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

WESTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

PO BOX 409

DARBY, MT 59829

August 9, 2002

CONSTRUCTION STATUS REPORT

West Fork Bitterroot River Road (along Painted Rocks Lake) MT PFH 66-1(3)

Accomplishments through August 9, 2002:

Pumco, Inc. brought in more equipment this week consisting of another excavator, a scraper, a dump truck, and a loader. Pumco continued clearing debris from the roadway area and pioneering cut slopes. Water underdrain and electrical conduit excavation in the Slate Creek area was started on Wednesday. Cement barriers were placed on the north end of the project narrowing the road there to one lane traffic; southbound traffic must yield to northbound traffic.

Future activities planned for the project:

Pumco continues drainage excavation and pioneering next week. They will begin working on gabion rock baskets on the north end of the project within the cement barriers.

As a reminder, road closures are to be expected: 8am-10am, 12pm-2pm, and 4pm-5:30pm weekdays (except Friday has only 8am-10am and 12pm-2pm closure periods). During all other times between 7am-5:30 pm Monday-Thursday and 7am-3:30pm Friday, flaggers will let cars through as much as they can, but expect up to 15-minute delays.

Other news of note:

According to a Forest Service biologist, the peregrine falcon fledgling near Painted Rocks Dam is now flying around the nest area.

Please refer your questions, comments, or concerns to Alan Woodmansey at (406) 821-9932 or alan.woodmansey@fhwa.dot.gov Drive Safe!