Big Cypress National Preserve Superintendent Pedro Ramos says that as of noon on November 2 the portion of Loop Road south of the Gator Hook Strand site and west of the Loop Road Education Center will be closed to vehicle traffic.
This closure does not apply to landowners and their guests. The closure is warranted due to conditions created when water over topped the roadbed. This portion of the road is gravel, and the combination of water over the roadway, and vehicle traffic has washed away road materials, leaving deep pockets in some areas of the road, creating unsafe conditions. If travel along the road is necessary, the use of a high clearance vehicle is strongly suggested.
During the dry season of 2009/10 (December, 2009 through May, 2010) the National Park Service will be conducting repairs to the gravel portion of the road. During this construction period, which may extend beyond May of 2010, the road will remain closed.