Federal officials will be closing all all-terrain vehicle and off-highway motorcycle trails on the Allegheny National Forest at the end of the day on Sept. 25.

There are, however, a couple exceptions for those looking to ride later into the fall.

“The Marienville and Timberline trails will be open for an extended weekend in October to give riders an opportunity to enjoy the autumn foliage,” Chris Leeser, ANF public affairs officer said.

Those trails will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 and remain open through Monday, Oct. 10.

Timberline will open Thursday, Oct. 6 to “accommodate riders camping for the weekend,” Leeser said. “The Willow Creek, Rocky Gap and Penoke Trails will remain closed.”

Some trails will also be open for the Tour de Forest Trail Ride in Marienville on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, though restricted to registered event participants and designated event routes only.

The permits required to ride these trails are valid through the end of the year and, as a result, the Forest Service will “monitor ATV/OHM trail conditions for potential winter use,” Leeser said.

“We are hopeful that weather conditions with sustained cold temperatures may allow us to open some trails for winter riding,” Marienville District Ranger Rob Fallon explained.

“Trail conditions can be challenging, and riders are encouraged to consider their skill level when evaluating whether to use any trail,” Leeser added. “Winter use of the ATV/OHM trail system requires sustained cold temperatures that freeze the trail surface and push frost into the ground.”

BRIDGE WEIGHT LIMITED UPDATED

The ANF also announced that posted weight limits on nine bridges would be changed in light of recent inspections.

A Federal Highway Administration bridge inspection standard assessment resulted in the changes.

“As bridge infrastructure ages, vehicle weights increase, and load rating methodologies change, the load-carrying capacity of a bridge changes,” Leeser said.

The affected bridges include FR 126E over a Tionesta branch; FR 143E over Ben Hur; FR 191 over Hoffman Run; FR 135 over Big Mill Creek; FR 108 over Wolf Run; FR 145 over Big Salmon, FR 339 over Bear Creek and two bridges over Farnsworth Run – FR 154 and FR 244.

“Funds are on the way to replace the undersized and deficient bridge over Farnsworth Run on Forest Road 154.” Leeser said.

The funds come from federal infrastructure legislation.

“Survey and design work is slated for fiscal year 2023 and replacement of the bridge is anticipated in fiscal year 2024,” Leeser added. “The new bridge will improve water quality and road resilience, and maintain future access to adjacent forest land for the public, contractors, permittees, wildland firefighters, and emergency response officials.”