Millcreek Canyon Road construction to begin on Thursday

MILLCREEK CANYON, Utah — Millcreek Canyon Road construction begins on May 1. Crews will begin repairing 4.6 miles of the upper road. 

According to Salt Lake County, the project will improve safety, access to recreational areas and address water drainage and erosion issues. Uphill bike lanes will also be added, in some areas. The construction zone will stretch from the winter gate to the Upper Big Water Trailhead. 

 

A project document said the speed limit on Millcreek Canyon Road will remain at 30 miles per hour. At some curves, lower speeds would be marked. Additionally, some parking areas will be reformatted. 

Currently, the canyon’s road experiences unnecessary congestion and safety issues, according to a Frequently-Asked-Questions document published by the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

The project is slated to last until 2026. Vehicle and pedestrian access will be unavailable during the project.  A pause will be taken from Dec. of this year until March 2026. 

In the winter, the road above the winter gate is groomed for cross country skiing. A project document explained that the winter closure period, between Dec. 15 and March 15, would allow for winter recreation. 

As the project continues, updates will be shared to Salt Lake County Regional Development’s social media profiles. Additionally, the project website will be updated, and an email list can be joined to stay up to date. 

The 2025 construction season is expected to consist of survey staking, earthwork, and constructing retaining walls. 

Retaining walls will help widen the road, per the project document. 

The Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands will lead the project and Salt Lake County, Millcreek City, and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest service will cooperate. Project funding is being provided through the Federal Lands Access Program. 

This project is the first of two Millcreek Canyon Road construction phases. The second will impact the lower portion of the canyon, from the fee booth to the winter gate. 

Accessing popular trails during Millcreek Canyon Road construction

Although vehicle and pedestrian access to the winter road will be halted during the project, the county said trails, such as Pipeline and Upper Pipeline, will remain open. 

“These trails will serve as key routes for hikers and bikers navigating the canyon during the project,” Salt Lake County wrote in a press release.

For example, the Pipeline trail can be accessed via the Rattlesnake Gulch and Grandeur Peak trail heads, which have parking lots below the winter gate. Pipeline provides access to Upper Pipeline and other trails that originate in the construction area. 

KSL.com reported that some trails will be closed during construction, listing Little Water, Old Red Rine, and access to Dog Lake. 

Dog Lake is also accessible via Big Cottonwood Canyon. No pets are allowed in that canyon, despite the name of the shallow, forested body of water. 

In Millcreek Canyon, pets are allowed. Dogs must remain on-leash on even numbered days, but can be off-leash on trails on odd-numbered days. 

A map of trails off Millcreek Canyon Road. (Salt Lake County)

During the Millcreek Canyon Road construction, visitors are being encouraged to plan ahead for any visits. SLCo recommended examining trail maps ahead of time and carpooling to your destination. 

Accessing Millcreek Canyon costs $5 per car, which is paid upon exiting the canyon. Senior citizens get a discounted entry fee of $3. Alternatively, a yearly pass can be purchased for $50. 

It should be noted that Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and interagency passes are not valid in Millcreek Canyon. 

Detailed trail information can be found on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest website. 

More upcoming road construction news: I-15 in Davis County gets nightly closures as Shepard Lane interchange construction continues