This project will reconstruct the failing road, pedestrian safety, and watershed improvements in between Big Water Trailhead and Winter Gate in Upper Mill Creek Canyon so residents can continue to safely access federal lands. The project is possible through more than $15 million in Federal Lands Access Program funding and millions in local contributions.
Implement roadway safety and pedestrian crossing safety measures at high-frequency crossing areas like Elbow Fork Trailhead, such as signing, striping, and installing guardrails at appropriate locations.
To complete all the transportation improvements identified in Mill Creek Canyon, the cost estimate is $38,000,000. This FLAP project will cover the scope of work identified in the upper canyon only, between Big Water Trailhead and Winter Gate.
Total Project Value: $19,600,000
Local Required Match: $4,276,200
Due to technical issues, the virtual open house was presented to a limited audience. However, it was still run as planned and recorded so that the public would have access as quickly as possible.
Watch the June 13th Virtual Open House
View the June 13th Virtual Open House Presentation Slides
The Third Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvement Project In-person Open House took place on June 14, 2023 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM MST at Millcreek City Hall, 3330 S 1300 E, Millcreek, UT at 5:30 PM.
Public comments were accepted from June 4, 2023 to July 10, 2023 to be considered by the project partners and consultants during the remaining phases of the environmental review and preliminary design process.
Following an open house on Nov. 9, 2021, the project team received more than 340 comments from the public and reviewed them.
Comments focused on the importance of Mill Creek Canyon as a community resource, whether for its natural environment or recreation opportunities. Most comments fell into one or more major themes:
The project team is considering public input in the design and working to best balance often competing interests. The project team has compiled a summary of the public's comments and provided responses.
The purpose of the Cultural Report, Biological Resource Report, and Other Resources Report is to share information with the public as part of the environmental process. Information contained in these reports is expected to be incorporated into an environmental assessment, which will also be made available for public review in the near future. Information presented on the affected environment in these reports is based on background research, field surveys, and coordination with other agencies.
This report presents an overview of the biological resources in the project area, anticipated resource issues associated with the proposed project, and FHWA-CFLHD’s approach to assess effects and ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Biological resources discussed include vegetation and vegetation communities, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) special status species, and migratory birds. The project and this report incorporate the following regulatory framework:
This report presents an overview of cultural resources, including archaeological and architectural resources, that could be affected by the proposed improvements and discusses FHWA-CFLHD’s approach to assess effects and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, such as the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
This report presents an overview of aquatic resources, land use, recreation and access, and visual resources, anticipated resource issues associated with the proposed project, and the Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division’s approach to assess effects and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and plans such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the 2003 Wasatch-Cache Revised Forest Plan (Forest Plan), and the Wasatch Canyons Master Plan and Wasatch Canyons General Plan Update.
| 2021 | August-October | Present scope of work, cost estimate, and timeline to local jurisdictions and partners |
| Nov. 3 | Press conference and start identifying sources for $4.3M match | |
| Nov. 9 | Public Open House with FHWA Central Federal Lands Highway Division at Millcreek and | |
| Nov. 9 | Start of 30-day public comment period | |
| Week of Dec. 6 | Public comment period ends | |
| 2022 | January - August | Consider public comments, Preliminary Design, environmental field surveys, technical analysis |
| 2023 | May - December | Pre-final design, final technical reports and NEPA documentation |
| 2024 | January - March | Final Design, permitting, and contract preparation |
| August - November | Initiate construction. Prepare FLAP application for future phase: road improvements between Toll Booth and Winter Gate | |
| 2025 - 2026 | Two seasons of construction |
Construction is anticipated to take place during the available construction seasons in 2025 and 2026. During this time the road will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians. Major thru trails are anticipated to remain open with a road crossing at Elbow Fork. There will be a winter shutdown of construction activities allowing for ski grooming and pedestrian access on the roadway from mid-December to late-March. |
| 2026 | Summer | Complete construction; ribbon cutting at Winter Gate |
Big Water Trailhead to Elbow Fork (3.1 miles) with a 24’ wide paved surface Elbow Fork to Winter Gate (1.4 miles) with 29’ wide paved surface
This may include Big Water Trailhead, Alexander Basin Trailhead, Clover Springs Picnic Area, Fir Crest Picnic Area, and Elbow Fork Trailhead. The Winter Gate Parking/Trailhead will be designed for a future phase.
Improve watershed functioning at Thousand Springs. The road through this section will be widened and the streambed channel will be realigned to address safety issues.
Extend recently installed box culverts, add headwalls and wingwalls to improve roadway safety. We will consult with the State Historic Preservation Board to address concerns with the historic White Bridge.
Install a 2-inch diameter conduit within the shoulder of the road to support future monitoring (Intelligent Transportation Systems/Dynamic Message Signs) and emergency communications in the canyon.
Implement roadway safety and pedestrian crossing safety measures at high-frequency crossing areas like Elbow Fork Trailhead, such as signing, striping, and installing guardrails at appropriate locations.
If you have any questions or feedback please email hpeters@slco.org or drodgers@slco.org.