New York DEC announces temporary State Forest road closures, projects

Almond, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced the temporary closure of several state forest roads and boat launch sites in Western New York for necessary site maintenance and improvement projects.

In addition, several State forest roads are now open as site improvement projects are completed. Below is a summary of updates by location.

Temporary Closures include the Turnpike State Forest Access Road in Turnpike State Forest, in Allegany County, which will be temporarily closed during October. As part of a timber sale, the road was scheduled to be rehabilitated in early October and will be closed to vehicle traffic while fresh gravel is set. Turnpike State Forest will still be accessible from Stewart Forest Road and nearby town roads.

The northern portion of Dixon Forest Access Road in Bully Hill State Forest, also in Allegany County will be closed until April of 2024. The northern portion of Dixon Forest Road was rehabilitated as part of a timber sale and will be closed to vehicle traffic to enable new culvert improvements, back slopes, and fresh gravel to adequately settle and harden.

Bully Hill State Forest can still be accessed from Sterns Forest Access Road, Connection Forest Access Road, the southern portion of Dixon Forest Access Road, and nearby town roads. Alternative state properties to visit across Western New York are available on DEC’s website.

In the town of Allegany, Cattaraugus County, DEC recently announced a temporary closure of the fishing platform at Birch Run Fish and Wildlife Management Area. The platform will be closed to allow for necessary site maintenance and accessibility improvement efforts.

Work was expected to take up to three weeks to complete and the platform is anticipated to reopen by the end of October. During the project, the paved access trail to the ponds will remain open.

Other roads that are reopening include the Kriedeman Forest Access Road and campsites, East Otto State Forest, in Cattaraugus County. Construction and road maintenance work to rehabilitate Kriedeman Forest Road and improve access to campsites at this location is now complete. The site improvement project included re-grading, shaping, and installing fresh gravel on Kriedeman Forest Road, in addition to rehabilitation of the road’s ditch to improve storm water drainage.

To enhance visitor safety and convenience, additional improvements are planned at this site next year which include parking area reconstruction, installation of a non-flush, waterless toilet, and the installation of bear-proof garbage cans.

Rock City Forest Road in Rock City State Forest, also in Cattaraugus County, has reopened. Work to re-grade, shape, and install fresh gravel for road restoration is now complete.