Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvements Project

A Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) Project

Mill Creek Canyon - Web 2.jpg

What is FLAP?

FLAP improves transportation facilities providing access to, near, or within federal lands. Much of the lands east of Salt Lake Valley are managed by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Upper Mill Creek Canyon Project Scope

The scope of the project includes roadway improvements between Big Water Trailhead and Winter Gate, a total of 4.5 miles.

View all the Nov. 9, 2021 Open House Information on the potential scope of the Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvements Project.

Cost Estimate

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

Upper Mill Creek Road Improvements Timeline

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 (30%), environmental field surveys, technical analysis
2023	May – December	Pre-final design (95%), final technical reports and NEPA documentation
2024	January – March	Final Design (100%), permitting, and contract preparation
	August – November	Initiate construction. Prepare FLAP application for future phase: road improvements between Toll Booth and Winter Gate
2025	Spring – Fall	Construction
2026	Summer	Complete construction; ribbon cutting at Winter Gate

Submit Public Comment

Details of Upper Mill Creek Canyon Project Scope

Reconstruct Mill Creek Canyon Road

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

Improve picnic area & trailhead parking

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.

Realign roadway at Thousand Springs

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.

Improve roadway drainage

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 Future Emergency Infrastructure

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 measures

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.

Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvement StoryMap