Single-lane closures may cause short-term delays for travelers
(Reserve, NM, August 24, 2026) — Starting this week, the Gila National Forest is working with a contractor to maintain and improve 18 miles of Forest Road 141 (FR 141, Reserve-Beaverhead Road), the primary access road from Reserve to the forest. The project will continue through early to mid-November when winter weather conditions set in. Weather permitting, work will resume in spring of 2027 with an anticipated July 2027 completion date.
At least one lane of traffic will remain open on weekends during construction, but single-lane road closures will likely result in short-term delays for travelers for the duration of the project. Full road closures may occur on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with possible 24-hour closures on Tuesdays or Wednesdays as needed for construction operations. Signage will be present along the roadway to inform travelers of closures.
This maintenance project will improve numerous potholes and loose gravel on this well-traveled section of FR 141, increasing traveler safety for business, recreation, and private land access. Workers will repave the first nine miles of FR 141 from the forest boundary near the San Francisco River (mile 0.69) to the top of the hill at Sheep Basin Divide (mile 9.47). Additionally, the project will include pulverizing the existing chipseal surface of the entire 18 miles of FR 141 from the forest boundary to the intersection with FR 153; reshaping the road template and relaying and compacting specific areas of road base failure; clearing roadside vegetation; improving ditches and culverts; and installing new signage.
