Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvements Project
A Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) Project
What is FLAP?
FLAP improves transportation facilities by 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.
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
Public Input So Far
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:
- Resource protection
- Bicycle and pedestrian safety
- Increased speeds
- Parking
- Design element considerations
- Shuttle system or other mass transit option
- Level of environmental review
- Firs cabin owner concerns
- Section 4(f) evaluation
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.
Download responses to key comment themes.
May 19 Open House
Project partners held a second open house on May 19, 2022 to respond to public comments made so far in the project and share preliminary design options being weighed.
Go through the materials and tell us what you want to see from this project and which designs meet your needs in the canyon.
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 |
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.
Questions?
Email millcreekroad@slco.org
Planning & Transportation
2001 S. State Street S2-100
PO Box 144575
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Fax: (385) 468-4881
