Bozeman, MT, August 20, 2021— The busy summer of 2021 continues in the Hyalite drainage. Starting Monday, August 23rd paving will commence in the road construction area above the Hyalite Dam, in Hood Creek and Chisholm Campgrounds. Visitors can expect construction delays of up to 30 minutes. Hyalite Road will be closed to bicyclist and roller skiers from the mouth of the canyon through the construction area from 6 am to 6 pm on weekdays until August 27. In addition, Hood Creek and Chisholm Campgrounds will be closed to all use until August 28. Please consider utilizing trailheads lower in the canyon during this time to reduce congestion. The Hyalite Road project, which started in October 2019, is scheduled for completion in September, and is taking place in one of Montana’s top national forest destination corridors.
Visitors to Hyalite should expect trucks hauling asphalt routinely traveling up and down the canyon, narrow detours and slow, bumpy conditions related to the construction work. Closing Hyalite Road to bicyclists and roller skiers will help ensure the safety of users while additional truck traffic is on the roadway.
The Bozeman Municipal Watershed project is also moving along with implementation for fuels reduction work to protect the municipal watershed. Road work will begin in the week of August 16 in the Moser road/trailhead area. This work includes road maintenance, road reconstruction, and temporary spur road reconstruction and is expected to last approximately 8 weeks, depending on weather conditions. The public can expect increased traffic in the project area, including heavy equipment and gravel trucks hauling and grading along Forest Service roads. Visitors to the Moser area should take caution and drive with care. For more information about the Bozeman Municipal Watershed project and to sign up to receive project updates, please visit: www.bznwatershed.com .
Lastly, the ongoing slope stability project within the first mile of the canyon is ongoing and users should expect continued short-term delays.
“I certainly recognize the challenges that these projects have when it comes to temporary delays or closures to recreational access and use,” said Corey Lewellen, Bozeman District Ranger. “These projects benefit recreational users and our public lands – we remain committed to minimizing impacts to the best of our ability.”
For additional information please call the Bozeman Ranger District Office at (406) 522-2520.
