UTAH COUNTY, Utah, Oct. 1, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah County officials are warning of a construction project in American Fork Canyon.
The Utah Department of Transportation, U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service began working together on a project that will bring cell phone service to much of American Fork Canyon Monday, said a news release from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Crews began work to install conduit, fiber, and cell towers along SR-92 (Alpine Loop Road) and SR-144 (Road to Tibble Fork Reservoir), the news release said. The purpose of this project is to improve and provide cell phone service and to enhance safety in American Fork Canyon. This work will extend to Tibble Fork Reservoir on SR-144 and to Pine Hollow Trailhead at mile marker 14 on SR-92. Work will begin at these two locations and work backwards, down the canyon.
Phase one of this project is expected to be complete in early November 2019. Phase two, installation of 26 antenna poles along SR-92 and SR-144, will begin in early 2020 and is expected to be complete by late summer 2020.
American Fork Canyon sees approximately 2 million visitors each year, the news release said.
“As can be expected, some of those visitors encounter difficulties when they are injured, become lost, or experience some kind of medical emergency,” the news release went on. “The recreational opportunities in American Fork Canyon are almost limitless and include bicycling, running, hiking, climbing, rappelling, camping, off road vehicle use, swimming, and boating, among others. Sometimes people are injured while engaging in these activities.”
Currently, in most areas of the canyon when someone needs help, they have to leave or ask a passerby, to go to Timpanogos Cave National Monument, or even out of the canyon, before being able to call 911, the news release said. Having cell phone service for a large part of this canyon will dramatically improve the response time for law enforcement and EMS in many cases.
What visitors to American Fork Canyon should expect:
- Crews working Sunday nights through Friday afternoons (No work on weekends).
- Lane restrictions and one-way traffic with flaggers. All traffic will be required to stop, including bicyclists.
- Travel delays.
- Large construction vehicles entering/exiting the work zone.
For updates on the project click here.
