The Federal Highway Administration’s Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFL) is beginning tree removal operations in mid-January for the Mormon Lake Road Project. These operations are expected to be completed by the end of February 2019, weather and conditions permitting.

Tree removal crews are scheduled to start at the north end of Mormon Lake Road and work southward. Crews will work during daylight hours, Monday through Friday. This schedule is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen conditions. Flaggers, signage and other traffic control will be in place to guide vehicles through the work zone. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to use extra caution through the work zone.

Operations will focus primarily on removal of U.S. Forest Service trees. Trees in County right of way will be removed only as necessary. No trees on private property will be removed as part of these operations except for several dead hazard trees that property owners have given permission to be removed.
Tree removal operations are necessary so that the Mormon Lake Road Project can break ground on schedule in March. The County will send out invitations to a pre-construction community meeting, which will be held in late February or early March.

The Mormon Lake Road Project will include the mill, overlay and widening of the entire 9.8 miles of roadway along the western shore of Mormon Lake. This $9.5 million project is funded by a Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) grant from CFL, which was awarded to the County in summer 2017. The County’s match of approximately $5.5 million for this project will be funded by Proposition 403, the County’s Road Maintenance Sales Tax. The project is expected to be completed by this fall.