Moab's Pack Creek Footbridge Replacement Faces New Delays

Staffing changes and engineering redesign push project past grant deadline, forcing city to reapply for funding.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:15pm

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph depicting the hazy silhouette of a pedestrian bridge over a flowing creek, with warm, autumnal colors blending together in a dreamlike, atmospheric scene.Delays in replacing Moab's Pack Creek footbridge expose the challenges small cities face in completing crucial infrastructure projects.Moab Today

The replacement of Moab's Pack Creek footbridge has hit another delay after a staffing change and engineering redesign pushed the project past its grant timeline, forcing the city to reapply for funding. The pedestrian bridge has been closed since August 2021 when post-fire flooding from the Pack Creek Fire damaged its footings and abutments beyond repair.

Why it matters

The Pack Creek footbridge is a crucial pedestrian and cyclist connection in Moab, providing access to the city's main street and commercial district. Its closure has forced residents to take a longer, less safe route along Kane Creek Boulevard and Highway 191, which lacks bike lanes and continuous sidewalks. The city is committed to replacing the bridge, but the delays highlight the challenges small municipalities face in completing infrastructure projects.

The details

The bridge was built in the 1980s under an agreement between the city and a private property owner. It operated in a gray area, with the city sometimes helping with informal repairs. In 2014, the property owner revoked the city's access, citing vandalism, but the bridge later reopened under subsequent owners. The Pack Creek Fire in 2021 severely damaged the bridge's footings and abutments, leading the city to close it. The replacement project has faced a series of delays, including a staffing change, an engineering redesign, and the need to reapply for state grant funding.

  • The bridge has been closed since August 2021 when post-fire flooding damaged it.
  • In March 2022, the Grand County Commission approved a letter of support for the rebuild grant.
  • The city council voted in December 2021 to allocate $300,000 for a replacement, with a state grant expected to cover up to half the cost.
  • By May 2022, the estimated cost had grown to $460,000, including $160,000 for stream improvements.
  • The city is waiting to hear back on the new grant application, expected sometime in May 2023.

The players

Alexi Lamm

City of Moab official who said the delay is a grant timeline issue, not a budget shortfall, and that the city has the project ready to go once funding is confirmed.

Chuck Williams

Moab City Engineer who at one council meeting asked residents not to raise the bridge publicly, since official acknowledgment could create liability for a structure that didn't meet modern safety codes.

Ray Klepzig

Former property owner who revoked the city's access to the bridge in 2014, citing vandalism to trucks at his Carquest Auto Parts property.

Rani Derasary

Moab City Councilmember who said at the time of the council vote in 2021 that "Not everybody has the privilege of using a car to get to City Market and other things."

David Largo

Moab resident who said in 2014 that "The way the town is laid out, the path really makes a difference" when the bridge was closed.

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What they’re saying

“We submitted that application, and we're waiting to hear back sometime in May.”

— Alexi Lamm, City of Moab official

“Not everybody has the privilege of using a car to get to City Market and other things.”

— Rani Derasary, Moab City Councilmember

“The way the town is laid out, the path really makes a difference.”

— David Largo, Moab resident

What’s next

The city is waiting to hear back on the new grant application, expected sometime in May 2023. If approved, the city can move forward with the replacement project.

The takeaway

The delays in replacing Moab's Pack Creek footbridge highlight the challenges small municipalities face in completing infrastructure projects, including staffing changes, engineering redesigns, and securing adequate funding. Despite these obstacles, the city remains committed to restoring this crucial pedestrian and cyclist connection for the community.