CITY PROJECTS
Work continues on several major projects in the City of Moab, and planning for a number of new projects is well underway. As summer begins to wind down, the City is launching an information and outreach effort to keep Moab’s residents updated on the status of many projects that are currently or will soon be occurring throughout the community.
Mill Creek Parkway Flood repairs:
Citywide flood response:
- Detention basin excavation is progressing, and Grand County is assisting in the effort.
- Roadways have been substantially cleared of silt; city crews continue brooming and sweeping as time allows.
- The walkway on the west side of the Mill Creek bridge near the Sand Flats intersection is open again after being closed due to a tree falling and damaging the fencing. The tree has been removed and the fence repaired.
- Damage from the June 2024 flood events forced closures to several areas of the Mill Creek Parkway due to unsafe sections of sidewalk and destroyed walkways. City crews have made good progress in making repairs or establishing detours, and most of the popular parkway is now open for travel. Pedestrian bridges were temporarily removed between 100 West and 500 West and the area is not open to travel at this time. Detours are required in other areas around some sections of the Parkway due to significant damage that will require more extensive work to address.
- The pedestrian bridge in Rotary Park is open.
Future flood mitigation projects:
- The city is working with contracted engineering firms to address flood damage to infrastructure, such as the eroded section of the Mill Creek Parkway near 100 East and 300 South. They are currently conducting surveys and making repair proposals.
- 500 West bridge and culvert repair and debris removal project. This work includes removing debris and sediment from the culvert and installing riprap to protect the bridge substructure.
- The major planning and engineering project will be regarding the 100 West to 500 West area. City staff has met with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and are in the process of creating a scope of work to expand the evaluation, planning, and engineering in that area to include the impacts of the recent flooding events.
- The city is also waiting on funds to come through for an awarded grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct an alternatives analysis for a possible detention facility along Mill Creek upstream from town.
Downtown Dispersed Parking
Concrete work is expected to be finished in the next couple of weeks, except for the sidewalk on 100 North, which may be done during or after microsurfacing and roadway striping.
Microsurfacing and roadway striping are scheduled to take place in early September. Other less impactful work such as lighting installation, signs, bollards, furnishings, pergolas, etc., are ongoing, and some will extend into September.
The project is on track to be substantially complete by October.
Follow the progress of this project on engagemoab.com/downtownparking and sign up for email updates at downtownparking@moabcity.org.
Kane Creek Boulevard
The contractor is on schedule to complete utilities (water, sewer, stormwater conveyance) by the end of August. Starting August 20, the contractor will be excavating unsuitable soil base from the roadway and replacing it with new soil and material to provide a strong base for new asphalt. This work will last approximately two and a half weeks. Long traffic delays will occur and drivers are advised to take alternate routes when possible.
Concrete and roadway work will continue through November. The contractor expects to install new asphalt on the roadway by late November, barring any unexpected delays. There is the chance that the road will only be partially paved throughout the winter if the contractor is unable to complete the concrete work ahead of the asphalt plant shutting down in late November.
Work to complete the Kane Creek project will continue into 2025.
Follow the progress of this project on engagemoab.com/kanecreek and sign up for email updates at kanecreek@moabcity.org.
Mill Creek Drive repaving
Rather than replace the chipseal on the roadway, the Moab City Council has approved installing new asphalt on Mill Creek Drive. Roadway resurfacing is scheduled for early September, with signage, roadway striping, and other elements to be done later in September.
Pedestrian Bridge at Episcopal Church
This bridge provides an important connection for residents on the southwest side of town.
The city is evaluating a possible option to use a bridge from the Matheson Wetlands Preserve. The Nature Conservancy has offered the bridge at no cost as long as the city removes it and the piles supporting it. This bridge has a longer span and should function better during floods. The city is working to determine how this option might affect grant funds awarded to help buy a new pedestrian bridge. The city plans to have a project ready for bid this fall.
Swanny City Park Playground Replacement Project
The city will use a combination of Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) tax ($530,000) and grants ($250,000) to redesign the Swanny City Park playground for improved access, safety, aesthetics, and user experience. This project includes replacing the playground equipment, and adding ramped access points, shade structures, rubberized surfacing, and sidewalks.
The environmental review is almost complete and the grant contract will be signed by the end of September. Groundbreaking for the project is planned for fall 2024 and construction will take approximately six months to complete once the work begins in 2025.
Dark sky retrofits for city facilities
City staff has audited city properties to identify lights that need updates to meet the new outdoor lighting code. A list of priorities has been created for retrofits of city lights. The project involves redirecting, shielding, or replacing lights to minimize uplight and light trespass while also directing better, brighter light on the ground.
The updated lights will arrive this month, and installation will occur in September and October.
Learn more about the outdoor lighting ordinance at engagemoab.com/outdoor-lighting.
400 East Bridge project
The City of Moab is set to begin a bridge scour mitigation project at the 400 East bridges over Mill and Pack creeks. The project was put out to bid earlier this summer. Flooding in June changed the site conditions, which required additional survey work. Work is expected to start in October and will involve removing sediment that was deposited by flooding, and adding riprap around and beneath the bridges to protect the bridge substructures and buried utilities and stabilize the creek channels.
The project will be partially funded by insurance claims.
Old City Park Pond
Crews will replace the chain link fence around the Old City Park pond with a wooden split-rail fence with mesh backing. The scope includes planting native species plants, re-grading the shoreline, adding a gravel footpath, and installing four benches around the pond. An educational sign will also be added to provide information about the fish being stocked in the pond by the state Division of Wildlife Resources.
This project is scheduled to begin after Labor Day and be finished before the end of October. The project is being funded through a $15,000 grant, an $8,000 city cash match, and a $7,500 city in-kind wage match.