Starting in April, roadwork will begin on the Ozark Highlands Auto Tour Route at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. The Ozark Highlands is the portion of the Auto Tour Route that begins at the spillway and winds through the west side of the refuge. Typically this route is open the months of April, May, October, November and one week in August. However, this year the Ozark Highlands will be closed for the months of April and May so the contractor can come in and begin roadwork. The crew will be refurbishing the gravel sections of the route, repaving the up slopes and downslopes and replacing some of the bridges and culverts. When the roadwork is complete the refuge will be able to better maintain this route and will be able to keep it open for more months of the year. The plan is to have the road back open by October 1.

Rabbit Ridge access to May Pond and the Monopoly Marsh Overlook will remain open as long as possible. However, due to safety concerns this road will also be closed during a majority of the project.