Land Between the Lakes , Ky./Tenn. – March 19, 2019 – The U.S. Forest Service will soon begin major construction projects to repair specific water crossings, roads, and trails damaged or destroyed during a 2016 flood at Land Between the Lakes.
Land Between the Lakes officials recently received $4.1 million in assistance from the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads program designed to help federal agencies repair or reconstruct roads impacted by natural disasters. The Forest Service will apply the ERFO funds for engineering, materials, project planning and contracting to address damages from the 2016 flood.
“The ERFO funding will help us address some badly needed repairs,” said Tina Tilley, area supervisor at Land Between the Lakes. Forest Service staff submitted a request for funding shortly after the flooding in 2016 to address damage that far exceeded normal budget constraints. “Now that we have the funds we can engineer more modern fixes that will better withstand future events.”
The public will first start seeing repairs on Forest Roads 174 and 145 both closed due to dangerous road conditions. FS 174 crosses Downs Creek and FS 145 crosses Crooked Creek.
“The public has expressed a lot of interest in Hemeatite Trail and we’re pleased that a portion of these ERFO funds will go towards repairs on this trail system,” said Tilley. Hematite Trail will lead in priority for trail work with repairs to the boardwalk and wildlife observation area.
Weather conditions could impact priority placement of some projects. Find us online for a full list of roads and trails to be addressed in this funding.
For more information call Chris Joyner, public affairs officer, at 270-350-3693.
