Construction begins May 2025 for Mill Creek Canyon Road improvements

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Construction on the long-planned Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvement Project is scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 1. Bridge work at the Elbow Fork area will reportedly be starting before May 1.

The project — a joint effort between Salt Lake County, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Federal Highway Administration — will “address roadway safety concerns, improve drainage and erosion control, and enhance long-term access for canyon visitors,” a Salt Lake County press release states. “During the winter, the roadway above the Winter Gate will be groomed for winter recreation.”

The project will focus on the upper 4.6 miles of Mill Creek Canyon Road, situated within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Salt Lake County. Its goal is to improve safety for visitors, enhance access to recreational areas, and address water quality issues caused by erosion and outdated drainage infrastructure. The improvements will reportedly span from the Winter Gate parking area to the Upper Big Water Trailhead.

Over the 2025 and 2026 construction seasons, vehicles and pedestrians will be restricted from accessing on the road past the winter gate. Trails, however, including the Pipeline and Upper Pipeline trails, will remain open. The trails will reportedly serve as key routes for hikers and bikers navigating the canyon while the project is underway.

“Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, consider carpooling, and consult project and trail maps before heading into the canyon,” the release states.

Construction is expected to continue through fall 2026. The project is funded through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), which aims to improve transportation facilities that “provide access to, are adjacent to, or are located within Federal lands,” according to their website.

More information about the Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvement Project, including maps, anticipated schedules, and visitor guidance, is available here.