This week, Summit County’s design-build team of Ecological Resource Consultants/Tezak Heavy Equipment (ERC/Tezak) continues major earthwork operations on the Swan River Restoration project site. The recent aerial photos below taken from similar angles provide an excellent view of the landscape transformation taking place!

Before (Google Earth Imagery - October 2015)

After (Aerial Drone Footage - August 16, 2016)

Most of the work this week will be focused on the downstream end of the project as crews prepare Tiger Road and the adjacent project area for utility relocation work. Utility relocation is necessary for the installation of the new Tiger Road crossing scheduled to be installed towards the end of September through early October 2016. You may experience temporary delays on portions of Tiger Road crossing through the project area starting later this week. Early next week (week of August 29th), crews anticipate opening a temporary detour and creating a new Tiger Road traffic pattern through the project site. 

Once in place, crews anticipate the temporary detour and traffic pattern lasting for approximately 6 weeks. The detour will be signed and delineated with traffic control channeling and barrier devices (jersey barriers and orange barrels). Flaggers may also be present during periods of active construction. Through traffic, as well as access to trail heads and businesses, on Tiger Road will be maintained throughout the detour period. 

Last week, Summit County staff also hosted one of our project partners from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) on the project site.  The CWCB is important project partner contributing valuable technical expertise, as well as a major grant funding through the Water Supply Reserve Account (WSRA) program. The $975,000 WSRA grant awarded to the Swan River Restoration Project in early 2015 was the largest ever grant awarded by this program for a project of this type.


Work is scheduled to continue through November 2016, followed by a winter shut-down period, before recommencing in spring 2017. Additional information about Swan River Restoration Project is available at RestoreTheSwanRiver.com as well as on the Open Space and Trails Special Projects web page. If you have additional questions about the restoration project, you can contact Summit County Open Space and Trails Director Brian Lorch, or Open Space and Trails Resource Specialist Jason Lederer, or call 970.668.4060.