OGDEN — As the city continues work to replace a century-old water pipeline that runs through Ogden Canyon, residents living in the canyon will face added inconveniences in the next few days.
Utah Department of Transportation spokesman Vic Saunders said State Route 39, as it runs through the canyon, will temporarily close to all traffic — including local traffic — beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The canyon will remain closed until 5 a.m. Wednesday. It will close again at 10 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed until 5 a.m. Thursday.
Canyon residents will also have their water shut off from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Businesses will remain open with temporary water during the water shutoff period.
Work began on the pipeline replacement shortly after Christmas. Nightly closures of the canyon have been ongoing since then and motorists traveling through the canyon have experienced congestion daily. For the most part, delays have been relatively minor, averaging about 10 minutes.
The city hired Brigham City-based Whitaker Construction for the project. The company is expected to wrap up phase one of the project by the beginning of April.
The final phase of the project will take place in the eastern portion of the canyon and should be complete by early June.
The 24-inch pipeline, nearly 100 years old, winds through Ogden Canyon and carries water from Pineview Reservoir to thousands of Ogden residents.
City officials say it’s a major water supply line to the city, but it’s in poor condition and repairs can’t be put off.
“(When phase two begins) we’re going to bring in an extra crew so we can speed the work along,” City Engineer Justin Anderson said. “We appreciate people being patient because this is a vital project.”
The project cost is $8 million. The city will issue $4 million in bonds to pay part of the costs. The state drinking water board has agreed to purchase the bonds for $4 million at an interest rate of 2.6 percent for a term of 20 years.
The Utah Division of Drinking Water had previously committed $4 million.
The city is now offering real-time canyon traffic updates, via text message. To receive the updates, text “Ogden Canyon” to 25827.
For more information about the project, visit www.ogdencanyonh2o.com or call the project hotline at 801-675-8189.
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