The Forest Service constructs roads primarily to facilitate access for private timber companies to areas of the forest that were previously hard to reach. While the construction may provide enjoyment for those operating heavy machinery, the main goal is to enable logging operations in these areas. Of the extensive 150 million acres of land that the Forest Service oversees for logging, only one-third is currently available for timber harvesting, which amounts to approximately 49 million acres.

This accessible land allows for significant logging activities, including clear-cutting practices that can drastically alter the landscape. The scale of this effort is substantial, as it represents an area nearly twice the size of Ohio. This highlights the tension between timber production and the preservation of forest ecosystems, raising questions about sustainability and long-term environmental impact.