Pathway under Main Street under construction
The Mill Creek Parkway under Main Street is undergoing serious construction work, part of a series of projects aimed at repairing and strengthening local flood control and area bridges.
A record-breaking flood in 2022 highlighted the need for immediate maintenance and upkeep on areas surrounding Pack Creek and Mill Creek, but Moab City Engineer Chuck Williams said that the work has been long needed.
Crews are currently working along the Mill Creek Parkway just off Main Street, replacing old rock-and-rail reinforcement holding the creek bank up below Woody’ ‘s Bar.
“That old reinforcement has been weakening over time,” said Williams. “It was headed towards failing and we didn’t want those banks to collapse and damage the surrounding buildings.”
Crews are stabilizing the banks with an intense process of installing soil nails, which are grouted in place and then covered by 8” of concrete. The creek itself has been diverted into a temporary 350’ long pipe to keep the worksite dry.
“We expect to be finished with the work by September 1,” said Williams.
Construction along the creek beds has been a familiar sight for months, as the riprap stone work around bridge foundations has been shored up temporarily.
“We prioritized bridges first,” said Williams, “since these overpasses receive so much use from pedestrians and car traffic, not to mention the parkway paths.”
Installing permanent repairs to these bridges will be the next project after the completion of the bank stabilization work.
“My guess is that will begin October, and our consultants are looking at repairing areas of the Parkway itself that were damaged in the flood next, particularly the area around the intersection of 300 South and 100 West and areas by 500 West,” he said.
Williams cautioned pedestrians not to cross barricade lines along the Parkway, as the construction is extensive and could be a safety risk.
“I’d really like people to know that we’re working on getting the pathways opened up soon, at least on weekends,” said Williams, “but until then, it should be treated like a construction site.”
Williams said that the current work is being done by Jackson Excavation with subcontractors Mayes Construction out of Grand Junction.
“We are so lucky to have them so close by,” said Williams, “since this kind of repair work is very specialized.”
