Times Observer file photo Design work marches on for substantial improvements to Longhouse Scenic Drive. That work is expected to be completed by the end of the year for work on the ground to start in 2023.

Design work continues on a multi-year and multi-million project to rehabilitate Longhouse Scenic Drive.

Forest Supervisor Jamie Davidson provided an update on the initiative to the county’s Council of Governments this week.

A partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is slated to get it done by the end of 2025.

The effort will repave the roadway and also repair about 100 culverts and include guide rail work. The total cost is estimated at $18 million.

Regional officials have pursued various funding streams previously in an attempt to get the work completed but ultimately were not successful.

Success was found through the Great American Outdoors Act and the partnership with the USACE, which specializes in managing projects of this size.

Davidson estimated that about 60% of the design work has been completed with the goal of 90-100% of that work completed by the end of the year.

That would set the stage for work to commence in 2023.

“Costs (are) coming in a bit higher than we were funded,” she said, explaining that they’re looking for alternative funding options.

In spite of that challenge, she said the work will “probably go” from 2023 into 2025.

The construction process will include an emphasis on minimize recreation-related disruptions.

“We’re trying to avoid full closures. The goal is not to have any full closures,” Davidson said. “(There) will be some disruptions.”

Avoiding full closures would limit potentially lengthy detours during construction.

Davidson said the work would also include adding some turnaround areas along the road as well as striping.

She also told the county’s municipal officials that Allegheny National Forest offices have been open for a few weeks.

The biggest challenge, she said, has been “hiring and retaining people to work the front desk” but that the offices “should be kind of business as normal. We are open.”