Beeline Update from Tonto

[Tools R Us]

I attended the TRAL meeting last night and one of the rangers gave an update on impacts of the planned Beeline HWY87 construction.

The highway construction is planned to last until 5/13/2011. For much of this time traffic will be routed on one side or the other of the divided highway, so one lane each way and reduced speed limits.

The big air down/trailer parking area (4 Peaks pickup HQ) on 143 will be bulldozed, made bigger and used for live plant, equipment, etc, storage. This will include the turnoff to FR1863 and possibly FR1832 and FR1343, may not be available for use, due to heavy equipment traffic, etc.

Sycamore/FR402 will be closed weekdays from 1/1/2011-1/30-2011, will be open weekends from, Sat 7AM to Sun 6PM. In the first depression from the highway, they will be clearing a big area, there will be an occupied trailer, storage, etc, here. When the highway project is done, this will be converted to a pipe fenced parking area.

Mesquite Wash/FR160, will be closed weekdays 9/15/2010-10/30/2010, will be open weekends from, Sat 7AM to Sun 6PM.

Due to the traffic using one side, there will likely be no left turns, limiting access even during the "open" times. If attempting to access these areas expect heavy equipment traffic, delays, temporary closures, etc, even during the "open" times.

This is all "Draft" subject to change. They were saying, if you go out there, large areas are flagged, taped, marked to be cleared, destruction should be starting soon. Some of the marked areas don't match plan, so subject to change?

 

[DSRTRDR]

good to know, thanks

 

[Tools R Us]

The "draft" has been removed, will be in effect pretty much as posted. The roads that are listed as closed, will likely not be closed everyday, only as needed, when big rig traffic is projected to be high and will be closed all day on those days. There will be no warning, no where to call, the only way to find out will be drive out and see, if open after 6AM, will be open all day.

 

[Tools R Us]

The construction may provide for improvement opportunities in the area. The way it was explained: The contractors have lots of heavy equipment in the area, often have leftover materials (riff-raff, gravel, etc) the forest service does them some favors during construction. Near the end of the project, the contractors need to dispose of excess materials, so the forest service requests that they dispose of it in areas of need. This possibility is so high that they are planning sites now.

I suggested the "dam" at sycamore and the big washouts at the beginning of FR11. Reinforcing the dam was well received, at this point top of the list. The proposal would be something like; remove the sand from the upstream side (road crossing side) add some rock and put the sand back on top. Add riff-raff (big rock) on the downstream side to reinforce, prevent the scouring erosion that caused it to fail last time. Add rock/gravel to the far side of the road crossing where it comes out of the wash and has been torn up.

This may provide for some volunteer opportunities if we want to get involved? Like doing "natural landscaping", removing equipment tracks, making it blend better with the surroundings.

If you have any other suggestions for improvements the area, post up. I maybe going out to view the sites in question with some forest service personal, post if you would like to attend, put your $.02 in.

 

[inkpot]

I would be interested in going out. Post up when you get dates/times. Thanks. John

 

[murf]

Kevin, those both sound like areas of need. It sounds like a positive opportunity for volunteers in our group to get involved. Good info

 

[coolotisdog]

The construction may provide for improvement opportunities in the area. The way it was explained: The contractors have lots of heavy equipment in the area, often have leftover materials (riff-raff, gravel, etc) the forest service does them some favors during construction. Near the end of the project, the contractors need to dispose of excess materials, so the forest service requests that they dispose of it in areas of need. This possibility is so high that they are planning sites now.

I suggested the "dam" at sycamore and the big washouts at the beginning of FR11. Reinforcing the dam was well received, at this point top of the list. The proposal would be something like; remove the sand from the upstream side (road crossing side) add some rock and put the sand back on top. Add riff-raff (big rock) on the downstream side to reinforce, prevent the scouring erosion that caused it to fail last time. Add rock/gravel to the far side of the road crossing where it comes out of the wash and has been torn up.

This may provide for some volunteer opportunities if we want to get involved? Like doing "natural landscaping", removing equipment tracks, making it blend better with the surroundings.

If you have any other suggestions for improvements the area, post up. I maybe going out to view the sites in question with some forest service personal, post if you would like to attend, put your $.02 in.

Not being an @ss, but it's def rip rap, not "riff raff"

 

[inkpot]

Not being an @ss, but it's def rip rap, not "riff raff"

Actually, I think he's right, but on the other hand, I know of some Riff Raff I'd like to bury under all the Rip Rap.

 

[Tools R Us]

Not being an @ss, but it's def rip rap, not "riff raff"

Sorry :whoops:

 

[Tools R Us]

It has started, the highway closures should start this week, all traffic routed on one side of the road. The staging area at 4Peaks road is bulldozed, fenced and is home to plants.

 

[Tools R Us]

The sign on the fence.