IVINS – Through April visitors to Snow Canyon State Park can expect travel hindrances as the Snow Canyon Park Access Road Reconstruction project is underway.
Ivins City is reconstructing a 0.4 mile section of Snow Canyon Drive, the roadway leading to the park’s south entrance. The old pavement had deteriorated, causing an inconvenience for park visitors and a frequent maintenance burden on the city.
“And with the Ironman St. George route being changed to include this section of roadway, the city (recognized) the priority of the reconstruction plans,” city Engineer Chuck Gillette said.
The road will be re-paved, slightly widened and additional culverts will be installed to resolve existing drainage issues. The city contracted the project with JP Excavating.
The cost of the project is estimated at $250,000. The City received a grant covering 50 percent of the cost from the Utah Joint Highway Committee, but the funds will not be available until 2017. Due to the urgency of the reconstruction need, the city is paying for the entire project, with an agreement to be reimbursed by the State in the future.
The project timeline puts completion at the end of April, though it may be finished sooner. The road and adjacent walking trail will remain open during the project, but park visitors should expect delays and hazardous driving conditions and are encouraged to use the park’s north entrance as a better alternative.
“Travel through this section of road is going to be difficult while we go through the construction process,” Gillette said.
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This is an exciting development for Snow Canyon Park–worth the temporary inconvenience.