Project Timeline Update:
The completion of the Upper Mill Creek Canyon Road Improvements Project will likely be delayed into spring/summer of 2027.
While all of the project partners are disheartened with this delay, the upper canyon road will still reopen this winter for non-motorized winter recreation.
We understand this extension is frustrating for those of us who miss using the upper canyon freely, but we are very excited to complete the project and open fully.
This delay is primarily due to conditions inherent to working in Mill Creek Canyon. A few of those factors include:
- The native material excavated from sites like Alexander Basin didn't contain enough rock to properly separate from topsoil for road construction use, so crews had to bring in suitable crushed rock from outside the canyon.
- Unanticipated subgrade reinforcement was required to ensure a strong, durable roadway. In multiple areas, crews found the material beneath the surface was too weak to safely support the road. Additional rock had to be collected and crushed on-site to reinforce those sections.
- Unusual weather, including record-breaking precipitation in October 2025, and a late freeze into April/May 2026, resulted in several smaller delays.
In addition, some remaining tasks, including final road base preparation and asphalt paving, are temperature-dependent. Depending on winter conditions, this work may need to wait until after snow melt in 2027, which would mean temporary closures while the project wraps up.
We sincerely appreciate the community's patience as we work to complete this project thoughtfully and responsibly, protecting Mill Creek Canyon for generations to come.