How Millcreek Canyon Will Change
Long-term project
Construction started in Millcreek Canyon on May 1, 2025. The construction teams only work during the summer months, with the canyon reopening to the public for use during the winter. Since the start of construction, I've been documenting the upper canyon, from the gate to Elbow Fork, the day before it closes to the public each year.
It is currently estimated that construction will be completed in summer of 2027.
April 30, 2025
When I walked towards the upper canyon, I was surprised to see a closed gate. The newspapers and local government social media accounts all said construction would begin the following day. I was worried that I had already missed it.
I wasted time by taking a few photos around the gate and nearby picnic areas. I saw a few hikers and dog walkers pause at the gate, and then walk around it. Surely they were wondering the same thing that I was: did we miss our last chance to enjoy this before it changes forever?
Finally, an older man on his bike, audibly cursing, paused and swung the gate open. In protest, he hopped back on his bike, clipped in and brazenly continued riding uphill. Myself and a few others followed up the canyon. Group dynamics were surely an excuse.
The prototypical Millcreek Canyon road experience is tightly lined with trees. A shady escape from the summer sun. I'm fearful when I hear that they're widening the road. The narrow roads were a feature.
White Bridge was constructed during the early 1900s. The project document specifically notes that this piece of infrastructure will be replaced. Today, the bridge is hardly noticeable. The original guardrails are still visible, but much of the bridge's deck is hidden under layers of asphalt that have been laid over it.
The nearby picnic area is named after White Bridge.
While much of the canyon feels unchanged…
… there are sporadic areas where change is apparent.
Spring-fed, a stream runs alongside the road. It flows down the canyon year-round. The construction plans noted that this stream is one of the reasons why these changes are needed. The stream erodes and destroys the road. The original design and construction of the road inadequately anticipated the damage this would cause. Expensive maintenance can only delay the inevitable. The public construction document confidently explains that a newly graded road and additional culverts will solve this problem.
During my walk up the canyon, I wondered what all of this was like before the road was built here. Was there just a trail? When was the first road built? We've already changed this canyon so much. The signs, pit toilets and parking lots are all modifications to nature's original design, now long forgotten. It made me realize that I'm only being precious about the canyon because the current state is the only state that I've experienced.
Maybe locals were fearful of the first paved road in Millcreek Canyon. Perhaps they were similarly afraid of how the increased access would change things forever.
As I left that evening, I wondered if there were any old timers that were still upset and pined over the previous incarnation of Millcreek Canyon, the only version that I had known and loved.
I found a strange comfort in thinking about how in 5, 10, 20 years, new residents would only know the new version of this canyon. Maybe further in the future they would also be hesitant or fearful of the next version of the canyon when further infrastructure improvements and access is deemed necessary.
March 14, 2026
The 2025–26 winter was unusually warm. As a result, construction was able to restart earlier than expected. Again, I was able to walk the from the upper canyon gate to Elbow Fork the day before construction restarted.
The old White Bridge is now gone, with much of the surrounding trees removed. I wonder where, after demolition, the remains of the original bridge were taken to. Maybe it's in a nearby landfill?
After some searching, I found the White Bridge sign off the side of the road.
Nearly unrecognizable to the old tree-lined White Bridge picnic area, I realized that I would have to relearn all the landmarks along the canyon.
I don't remember being nearly as introspective on this visit. I felt more like an outside observer. A canyon where I had memorized every hill, each wheel-busting pothole, was now different around every corner. I wasn't sure how I should feel. I kept telling myself to keep an open mind.
Surely I'll feel better about everything once I can finally ride my damn bike up this canyon again.
Updated Sep 19 2026