Topics

1

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / GD Canada Map D. Elk River Rd. Wildfire Closure. 8/25/23

« on: August 25, 2023, 06:37:00 pm »

North of Round Prairie, the Mt. Bingay Wildfire has closed Elk River Rd. Here is the closure order and where to check for status updates: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/area-restriction-in-effect-for-mount-bingay-wildfire/

This is a tough detour since the Elk Valley has few southbound linkages into it if Elk Pass must be avoided. One thing is for certain: don't proceed southbound over Elk Pass until you are certain the closure has been lifted. Otherwise a rider could be stranded on the south side of Elk Pass.

A communications staff person at Regional District of East Kootenay, who also happens to organize a mtb event in the area, has suggested the following detour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44200652

Southbound riders would leave main GD Canada route at the junction of Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Rd. and Kananaskis Lakes Tr. in Lougheed Provincial Park, and follow PR 40 over Highwood Pass south to Coleman, then west on Crowsnest Hwy/PR 3 to Sparwood to rejoin the main route. This detour will increase overall mileage, is on a mix of paved/unpaved roads, and has virtually no services between Kananaskis Lakes area and Coleman, a distance of about 100 mi. Coleman is an all service town.

Nathan
ACA

2

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Sierra Cascades Sec02 FR 25 closure 8/2023

« on: August 22, 2023, 03:16:42 pm »

FR 25 has been closed as a through-route due to a significant landslide causing the road to be impassable at 3 different locations. This affects SC02 route miles on map panels 17-20 between Randle and Cascade Locks. Here is the Gifford Pinchot NF alert with further details and closure map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices/?aid=80749

From Randle, a detour exists following Cispus Rd./FR 23 south to Trout Lake, then SR 141 south to near White Salmon, then SR 14 west to Carson where you'll rejoin the route. FR 23 is largely paved and often narrow forest lane that should have appeal for cyclists. However, the Mt. Adams Ranger District warns riders to be aware that this road needs resurfacing and there is a ~10 mile stretch near the Mt. Adams Wilderness boundary that is unpaved and rough in places. Also, this detour will add several miles and many feet of climbing, so be sure you are well-stocked with food and supplies leaving Randle. Camping opportunities abound but few other services are available. Trout Lake has limited services including lodging and a small store.

Here is the detour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44161936

Mt. Adams Ranger District (509)395-3400

Nathan
ACA

3

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / GD Canada Map A. Forestry Trunk Rd. construction. 8/10/23

« on: August 10, 2023, 03:10:24 pm »

Between Coalspur and Cardinal River Rd., there is construction work on Forestry Trunk Rd./PR 40/734. The road has been reduced to one-lane alternating traffic. Expect congestion, flaggers on-site, slower speeds, or the need to stop entirely and wait for a turn to pass. Currently there are no closures but riders should budget extra time to get through the worksite area.

511 Alberta has more information: https://511.alberta.ca/
Currently a timeframe for the project is unknown.

Nathan
ACA

4

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Lewis & Clark Sec01 Road Closure 9/13/22

« on: September 13, 2022, 03:30:30 pm »

On LC 01 map #19, Western Ave. is closed between Bartlett and north of Percival due to two separate incidents related to flood damage and a vehicle accident. Local county officials claim that the road has been planned to re-open with a standard chip-seal surface, but progress is mired in bureaucracy between FEMA, the railroad, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Therefore the current timeframe for re-opening is indefinite. In the meantime, it is suggested to use the Hamburg Option alternate routing to the east. For cyclists who do not want to go all the way south into Hamburg, it has been reported that 155th St. west of Thurman can be used to cross back over, and the route is open to the south from there. See attached image below.

There is little info posted online regarding this closure. For updates, the Fremont Co. Secondary Roads department can be reached at 712-374-2613

Nathan
ACA

5

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / GD Canada-Map D-south Flathead Alt wildfire closure 8/16/22

« on: August 16, 2022, 07:39:16 pm »

Segments of the GD Canada Flathead Alternate route are closed due to the Weasel Fire. The affected roads are Cabin Rd., Wigwam Rd. and Phillips Rd., and include Cabin and Galton passes, and the famous "Wall" passage above the Wigwam River. Here is the order from BC Wildfire Services: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/updated-area-restriction-in-effect-for-weasel-creek-wildfire/

Travel through the Flathead Valley along the alternate is still possible following a portion of the Tour Divide race route. Southbound, from near junction of Flathead Rd. & Lower Harvey Rd., cyclists can turn right onto Lodgepole Rd. and intersect the Elk Valley Trail (main route) south of Morrisey at turn I. Or continue south onto the old route along PR 3 to Elko.

Here is that detour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40612348

Nathan
ACA

6

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / TransAm Sec 11-Devastating Floods in Eastern Kentucky-Aug 2 2022

« on: August 02, 2022, 04:13:46 pm »

The results of the tragic floods in eastern Kentucky are still being assessed and information is beginning to come out, but very slowly.

The following is from https://ekytransportation-kytc.hub.arcgis.com/, a website for Eastern Kentucky Transportation Updates impacted by the flooding:

UPDATES
August 1, 2022
The Pikeville highway district (District 12) includes six of the 13 disaster counties – Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Letcher, Martin and Pike. All state routes are passable.
In the Jackson highway district (District 10) – which includes Breathitt, Magoffin, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe counties – repairs to roadways will begin today with the help of contractor crews.
Four state routes in Perry County remain closed or partially closed.
Detours are available on three of those routes. The lone exception is Kentucky Route 1146, which runs through the Lost Creek area.
13 crews from the highway districts at Bowling Green, Somerset, Flemingsburg and Manchester are in Breathitt County to assist in clearing county roads.
Bridge inspections are continuing as inspectors are able to gain access.
So far, 627 bridges in the declared disaster counties have been assessed.
Inspectors have found 21 bridges with issues that range from being impassable because of debris to being completely washed out. They include county bridges as well as state bridges.
Transportation Cabinet personnel and vehicles are engaged in transporting supplies and equipment throughout the flood zone (like water, cots, ready-to-eat meals, travel trailers).
Crews are coordinating with the Division of Emergency Management to set up travel trailers for temporary sheltering for displaced families.

Very generally, the big impacts on the TA Section 11 route includes the Kentucky River basin and tributaries from map #129-131. The closures and washouts include, but should not be considered limited to: SR 451 between Chavies and Hazard (map #130), SR 899 between Hindman and Bevinsville (map #131), and possibly others brought to light in the coming days.

Some areas have posted detours around closures, while others will consist of lengthy delays in traffic. As per Kentucky DOT, travelers should use caution and discretion when traveling on these routes, and avoid travel if possible in the affected areas. ACA stands by this recommendation at this time.

For bike travelers on the TA looking to pass through central Appalachia in the coming days, we suggest a different route that avoids eastern Kentucky. The Eastern Express Route is a significant departure to the north, has nearly 300 miles of unpaved surfaces along the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage, and passes through fairly remote areas between Washington DC and Pittsburgh. It also has the advantage of being a vetted, quality bike route that is commonly ridden by others (and glowingly referred to afterwards) during long-distance bike tours. Also, the route has documented resources including cyclist services, route maps and other helpful details. Eastbound, connections to the Eastern Express can be made from TA Section 8 in eastern Kansas, or further along using various ACA routes (Route 66 Section 2, or Underground Railroad Sections 2-4). The TA Trail can be rejoined south of Washington DC on Atlantic Coast Section 3.

https://www.easternexpressroute.com/

We welcome any other shorter detour options posted here, either from local in-the-know riders or re-routed bike tourists.

Nathan
ACA Cartographer

7

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Great Divide Canada-Map D-Elk Valley Trail Closure-1/12/22

« on: January 12, 2022, 12:49:14 pm »

Ongoing logging activity on GD Canada/Elk Valley Trail between Fernie and Hosmer has made following the existing route on bike untenable for the time being. Trails BC has recommended a detour using mainly parts of PR 3 and Dicken Rd. See attached image for route section affected and rough guide to the suggested detour.

Trails BC announcement posted here, and also good place to check for future updates:
https://trailsbc.ca/tct/east-kootenay/fernie-sparwood

And here is the suggested detour in RWGPS format:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38341132

Nathan
ACA

8

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Great River South Sec02 #23 and UGRR Sec02-Waverly, TN Flooding- Aug 2021

« on: August 25, 2021, 12:30:23 pm »

Despite the devastating flooding in Waverly, TN, current GRS Sec02 and UGRR Sec02 routing remains passable based on this map of Tennessee road closures: https://smartway.tn.gov/traffic?features=incident,traffic&position=36.09197477,-87.71706497,13

See attached pic for closure info circa 8/25/21.

However, touring cyclists can expect traffic delays, emergency vehicles, closed or stressed services, and other impediments to moving through the area. As such, it is probably best to avoid the area for the time being.

Nathan
ACA

9

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / GD Sec01 Map B - FR 10229 & 9719 Rds. Closure due to Whitetail Cr. Fire - 8/21

« on: August 06, 2021, 11:54:27 am »

8/6/21
Flathead NF has issued an area closure due to the Whitetail Cr. Fire that includes FR 10229 and FR 9719 south of Swan Lake on GD01 Map B. See attached. Here is that order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd937844.pdf

As far as I can tell this information has not been posted on Inciweb. Here is the Whitetail Cr. Fire webpage: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/7767/

Incidentally, these roads happen to be a part of a suggested detour we have posted around an active logging operation. That detour will also apply here and get a rider around the closure area.

Here is that detour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29920687

And here is the Map Updates and Corrections listing describing the logging detour:

(Apr 2019) Logging activity is beginning along a 23-mile stretch in the Swan River State Forest in spring 2019. It is scheduled to last through 2021. There will be heavy logging traffic and they expect 20-30 trucks coming through daily.

We highly recommend the following detour. Southbound it begins at [F] and rejoins the route at [K]. Though the existing route will be open, State Forest personnel want to minimize any potential conflicts between cyclists and truck traffic. The detour takes cyclists along unpaved roads on the east side of SR 83. It includes a total of 3.2 mi. of riding on SR 83. You can view the detour here: ridewithgps.com/routes/29920687

If you have purchased the digital data or the Bicycle Route Navigator app, the above detour is called "GD01NAlt_D19_2018" for northbound travel and "GD01SAlt_D19_2018" for southbound travel.

Nathan
ACA

 

10

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Green Mountains Loop- SR 105 Construction- Summer 2021

« on: June 14, 2021, 06:44:13 pm »

From VT local Jean-Pierre Mittaz:
Route 105, between Richford and Jay Mountain has 8 miles of road construction, with currently no pavement, at all, over this entire distance. I believe this construction will last through the summer. I made it, no flat tire, but it was painful.

Here is the project webpage, which specifies that the project will last from July-Fall 2021:
https://resources.vtrans.vermont.gov/factsheet/default.aspx?pin=10B230

Currently, there is a detour option using SR 105A and E. Richford Slide Rd., but it appears to enter Canada for a very brief distance. This would not be viable currently since the border is closed.

I will update this post as more information becomes available.

Nathan
ACA

11

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / NL Sec01-SR 69 West of Escanaba-Road Resurfacing Closure-5/6/21

« on: May 06, 2021, 11:07:06 am »

This from Escanaba local/ACA member Daniel Vader:

There is a road construction project planned on the North Lakes affecting the route in Delta County Michigan. The resurfacing project will affect SR 69 in Michigan from Schaefer to the turn East. A good detour is available by turning East onto 17th Road to G Road to I Road to original route. I live near here and this detour is a nice ride.

Here is Daniel's proposed detour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35926300

According to the project website, https://www.michigan.gov/som/0,4669,7-192-29907-558358--,00.html, the project will begin May 17 and last through July 2021. It is recommended to check the status before touring the route this summer.

Nathan
ACA Cartographer

12

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Arkansas High Country Sec 2-NW Loop-White Rock Mtn Rd. Closure 4/16/21

« on: April 16, 2021, 12:08:11 pm »

There has been a landslide on White Rock Mtn. Rd. and the USFS has been slow to respond.
Attached is the map area in question.

And here is a detour on Shores Lake Rd. suggested by Chuck Campbell, the ARHC route designer: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35722644

Nathan Taylor
ACA Cartographer

13

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / GD Sec01 Map C - FR 477/Cottonwood Lakes Rd. Closure- Jul 20-Aug 8 2020

« on: July 22, 2020, 12:57:32 pm »

From Lolo NF: Cottonwood Lakes Road NFSR #477 will be closed starting on July 20 - August 8 from its junction with Dunham Creek Road #4388 at milepost 19.1 and west to its junction with Dunham Ditch Road #17512 at milepost 18.7. The closure will be in place through August 8 for crews to replace the Dunham Bridge.

This is at the same location of another closure posted Sep 2019. The suggested detour from that closure also applies here. See https://forums.adventurecycling.org/index.php?topic=15859.0

Here's the closure post from Lolo NF: https://www.facebook.com/lolonationalforest/posts/1658914600933991

Nathan
ACA

14

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / GD Sec01 Map C - FR 477/Cottonwood Lakes Rd. Closure- Sep 2019

« on: September 10, 2019, 03:34:19 pm »

From Lolo National Forest: A segment of Cottonwood Lakes Road NFSR 477 at mile marker 19 over Dunham Creek will be closed Sept 16– Oct 12. for a bridge replacement.  Cottonwood Lakes Road will be closed to the southeast from the intersection with Dunham Creek Road NFSR 4388 for approximately a quarter of a mile.

The USFS recommended detour is to leave route at SB mi. 9.6, ride 3.3 mi. S. on Lower Cottonwood Rd./FR 9976 to Kozy Corner, then 8.5 mi. east and south on Woodworth Rd. to SR 200, then 6.7 mi. E. to main route intersection at SR 200 and Monture Creek Rd.

Here is a visual of the area in question. Purple is the closure area, green is the recommended detour.

And here is a Ride With GPS map link to the detour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31079519

Nathan Taylor
Routes and Mapping

15

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / TA Sec10-Mammoth Cave Loop-Green River Ferry Closure-8/13/19

« on: August 13, 2019, 12:39:00 pm »

From NPS: A number of large scale projects will force the closure of the Green River ferry (EB mile 30.5) and ~2 mi. of Green River Ferry Rd. N of the river from July 29 - November 15, 2019. Work will include extending the vehicle ramp, improving the ferry boat and creating canoe/kayak river access upstream of the ferry. See https://www.nps.gov/maca/green-river-ferry-improvement-projects.htm for more info.

NPS has posted a detour that is 29 mi. long and skirts the perimeter of Mammoth Cave NP almost entirely: https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/images/Re-route-to-Access-the-North-Side-of-the-Park.jpg. Note this map also shows the full closure area in detail.

Here is a Ride With GPS map of the same detour, going EB: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30833963

There are some services along the detour, notably near the SR 728/SR 1827 intersection in the north, and the town of Brownsville in the southwest.

Nathan
ACA Routes and Mapping