EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The South Fork Negrito Creek bridge replacement project is approaching the final stages of construction in the Gila National Forest.
That means travel along Forest Road 141 between Reserve, New Mexico, and the project site, 27 miles to the southeast, will be impacted by the delivery of major prefabricatred steel bridge components.
Trucks hauling large, bulky, heavy materials will be slow-moving and have the potential to temporarily impede the normal flow of traffic, officials with the Gila National Forest said.
A 4.5-mile segment of Forest Road 141 and South Fork Campground have been closed since May 2025 for the replacement of a 66-year-old bridge that was showing signs of potential for catastrophic failure, Gila National Forest officials said.
The final stage of the overall project includes installation of guardrails, laying of asphalt approaches, and overall site rehabilitation with reseeding.
The timeline for the project’s completition remains mid-October.
There are multiple alternate routes available:
- Forest Road 94 (Cox Canyon Road) from Apache Creek to Catron County Road 28 (Bursum Road – north end). Recent and ongoing road maintenance ensures the suitability of this road for all traffic. This is the main designated detour.
- Catron County Road 28 at Horse Springs, passing through Y-Canyon to Forest Road 94.
- New Mexico Highway 159 (Bursum Road – south end, also known as Mogollon Road) from US Highway 180 north of Glenwood to the Willow Creek area. This is a narrow, rocky road that may be suitable for high clearance vehicles.
- Forest Road 153 (Deep Creek Divide) to Forest Road 180 (Corner Mountain Road) to Forest Road 119 is yet another option that is suitable only for high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles.
The temporary public safety closure prohibits public entry on the closed section of Forest Road 141 for any purpose. Penalties for violating the closure may require appearance in federal court and fines of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail. Violations of the closure will delay project completion due to work stoppage for public safety.
Click here to see the closure order.
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