Plans for improving and paving a road that traverses one of the most beautiful areas on the Fishlake National Forest have been announced by the Federal Highway Administration.
Nearly 30 miles of Utah Forest Highway 39, commonly referred to as the Seven Mile-Gooseberry Road, will be widened and paved. Although the project is five years away from a reality, federal officials already are calling for input into the proposal.The north end of the road is about seven miles east of Salina along I-70. The south end is near the Johnson Reservoir where it will connect with a paved road from Fish Lake, Forest Highway 31. Those two roads also will intersect with another one.
The Gooseberry-Seven Mile highway will include two paved lanes 11-feet wide with 2-foot paved shoulders. The north and south sectors will be designed for speeds of 35 to 40 miles per hour. The center section will be designed for slower speeds, 25 to 30 miles per hour, because of switchbacks where the road abruptly rises from the Gooseberry area to the Seven Mile valley.
Federal officials want to provide better access to the Fishlake National Forest, according to Jerry L. Budwig, Federal Highway Administration district engineer. A paved highway will help utilize the recreational potential that is now limited because of poor access, he added.
Most of the construction will follow the existing road. Crews will realign some areas to improve safety.
Other benefits of the project include improved economies for Sevier and Wayne counties; reduction of dust and erosion impacts on the surrounding area; and better highway continuity.