Portion of Skalkaho Highway To Reopen Tuesday [AUDIO]

The Montana Transportation Department announced Monday that it is re-opening two sections of Skalkaho Highway (State Highway 38) previously closed to the public because of the 41 Complex Fires.  Both areas will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20^th. I spoke with Public Information Officer Todd Mckay about the information Monday afternoon. That interview is attached.

Beginning Tuesday, the road will be open to mile post 17 – Railroad Creek on the Bitterroot side of the falls and to mile post 26 - top of the pass on the Phillipsburg side.  This will allow the public and hunters to access Railroad Creek Road (Forest Road # 711) on the Bitterroot National Forest and also Crystal Creek and Mud Lake Campgrounds on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.  The highway has been closed since September 5^th from mile post 14 to mile post 30 due to extreme fire activity including down trees and snags, rocks, and rolling and burning debris falling onto the roadway.