Show Year Two Road Project to Bypass Flood Damaged Sheep Creek Canyon A new route connecting Vel Ver- Ver Vernal nal and Green River one which will pass bypass Sheep Creek Can Can- Canyon yon is in the works under joint planning of the Utah Road Com mission and US Bureau of Pub Pub- lie lic Roads A contract for initial construction will be let some some some- sometime time after July 1 1968 Francis Feltch state road commission commission- commissioner er reported with the state bear bear- bearing bearing ing of the cost and forest highway funds providing a remainder estimated at THE ROAD which will by- by bypass bypass pass the canyon I by y crossing Death Valley and descending the old switchback road to the area of Sheep Creek boat launching ramp on Flaming Gorge Reservoir will hopefully be started in time so a paving contract may be let in the summer of 1969 Mr Feltch ex ex- ex explained A sa saving ving of seven mil mil- miles miles es over the present route will willbe willbe be realized A portion of the relocated road has already been built but not paved with about two miles being used as access to the Sheep Creek boat ramp he said WHEN COMPLETED the fue Vernal Green River route this side of the state line will be part of the state road system The present road through the canyon was reopened by the state and Forest Service after the then paved road was des des- destroyed destroyed troyed in 1965 The state took the portion to the Bennett Ranch the Forest Service that portion to Palisade Park Work continues on the Sheep Creek Canyon road partially destroyed in the 1965 flash flood lood LESS THAN a mile of unpaved unpaved ed graveled road now exists be- be between between tween at Green River Wyoming and US 40 at Vernal Blacktop paving is being ap ap- ap applied plied below Palisades Park in inthe inthe the canyon and a new concrete and steel bridge is under con con- construction across Sheep Creek in inthe inthe the deep canyon Paving of the graveled pol por- por portion tion of road is not planned by bythe bythe the Utah Road Commission at this time according to Francis Feltch road commissioner un un- un under del der an agreement between the state and the US Forest Ser Ser- Service Service vice THE STATE presently main main- maintains the route and makes minor improvements but is not planning any construction in in- in including paving Mr Feltch stated |