The U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed a section of Patterson Creek Road (Forest Service Road 184) in Botetourt County to ensure visitor safety during a road improvement project that began October 19.
A half-mile section of the road beginning one mile north of the intersection with State Route 612 near New Castle will be temporarily closed while a culvert is being replaced.
Although the road will be closed to thru-traffic, visitors and hunters will still be able to access Forest System lands from Forest Service Road 5020 via State Route 818 to the north.
The existing culvert, which frequently becomes blocked, will be removed and replaced with a single larger pass-through culvert designed to allow fish and other aquatic organisms to travel up and down the stream more easily. The project is expected to be completed by mid-December.
“Thank you for patience as we work to improve road conditions, water quality and fish habitat in the Patterson Creek area,” said District Ranger Beth Christiansen.
For more information,contact the Eastern Divide Ranger District office at 552-4641.
