Longhouse Scenic Drive will remain closed to through traffic from Jakes Rocks to Dewdrop through Aug. 19.

Federal officials acknowledge the challenge that poses during the peak recreation season.

“We’re mindful of the impacts,” Bradford District Ranger Rich Hatfield told the Council of Governments on Wednesday. “(We’re) trying to minimize them.”

According to the Forest Service, all recreation sites along Longhouse Scenic Drive are planned to remain open during construction.

But, coming from Warren, some are not accessible without sizable detours. That detour includes driving out to Route 321 to Red Bridge, adding an hour to the trip.

“The road closure is necessary to allow the construction contractor to replace under-road culverts, including one on Mead Eddy Run,” the ANF said in a statement.

Hatfield said this is just one of several thru-traffic closures that will be part of the project. Two “more short term closures” will be implemented this year with two longer ones next year.

Those closures will not occur over Jakes Rocks Trail Fest weekend in September.

He said the “alternative” to these temporary closures “frankly was worse. Some of these culverts were really deep. It’s going to take time.”

“Next year is going to be real tough,” Hatfield acknowledged.

He stressed though that the plan is to try to get the work done in two years rather than three and set the road up for decades to come.

Per the ANF, the project is being accomplished via an interagency agreement between the Allegheny National Forest and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District. The $12.3 million contract was awarded to Bob Cummins Construction of Bradford, Pennsylvania.

The project includes 156 under-road culvert replacements, installation of two aquatic organism passages, and the rehabilitation of eleven miles of two-lane paved road.

“It’s going to be impactful,” Hatfield reiterated. “It’s going to be a couple tough years.