According to the news release, “traffic on SR-128 will be affected as the bridge foundation drilling commences. The drilling will close one lane of traffic. The remaining travel lane will be controlled by temporary traffic signals. The expected wait at the traffic signals is expected to be less than 15 minutes.”
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The annual community Christmas Potluck dinner will be held at the Castle Valley LDS Church next Tuesday, Dec. 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Turkey and ham, and mashed potatoes and gravy will be furnished and the side dishes and desserts will be potluck. Everyone is invited to attend the dinner, which is a perfect way to begin the Christmas season.
Everyone who attends is also asked to bring non-perishable food items to the dinner. The food will be collected and donated to the Moab Food Bank to help them stock their shelves for the holiday season. Castle Valley residents may also contact LDS Branch President Richard Williams to donate food and he will get it to the food bank.
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Thirty years ago this week, this column reported on the construction work of the re-aligned Pace Hill on the Castleton Road leading into Castle Valley. The entire length of the road between SR 128 and the entrance to Castle Valley was realigned, making the road straighter and not as steep. Tons of material was blasted from the summit of the road and moved to the lower portion of the road. That material was then used as fill in some of the canyons. The summit is eight to 10 feet lower than the original road, making it easier to traverse the road during the winter months when it is snow covered
At the time, the contractor estimated another week to complete the road while the crew and heavy equipment worked 12-hour days to complete the project. After completion, the road received a layer of gravel just before the season’s first major storm hit the area on Dec. 12. The road was finally paved the following summer.
The road, as it exists today, is certainly much better than the original old road but it still presents problems for travelers when the pavement gets iced over from snow and traffic. A couple of years ago, a dozen vehicles were stranded along the route when gravity and traction proved too much for those trying to get home that night.