Construction work to temporarily close trail access across Mill Creek-Bennington Lake intake canal starting Oct. 13

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Pedestrian access across the south end of the diversion\intake canal, part of the Meadowlark Loop trail which circles Bennington Lake on Mill Creek Project lands, will be closed to accommodate construction activities Oct. 13 through Oct. 27, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials at the Mill Creek Project office.

The trail closure is necessary to ensure public safety while the Corps makes repairs to riprap areas just downstream of the concrete-to-natural channel transition of the Mill Creek diversion\intake canal. The work is part of the Mill Creek Project’s routine preventive maintenance program.

The foot bridge near the Project Office and the concrete deck at the Diversion Dam Intake Gate structure will be open for visitors to cross, enabling access to trails on either side of the creek and intake canal.

Konen Rock Products of Milton-Freewater, Ore., was awarded the $46,700 HUBZone contract to perform the work.

The construction safety zone includes the south end of the concrete diversion\intake canal and adjacent areas of the natural channel flowing into Bennington Lake.

The work will require heavy-vehicle traffic and transport of large equipment and materials on the gravel-surfaced access road along Mill Creek, also known as the Kingfisher Loop (or South Levee Service Road), and a portion of the Whitetail Trail along the canal.  While this gravel road will not be blocked off, visitors should be aware of construction vehicle traffic using this route and move to the side of the road to allow a safe distance for passing.

Visitors should avoid any area which is designated as a construction zone or marked off with caution tape or fencing material. Visitors with dogs in these designated off-leash areas may want to temporarily leash their pets while near the construction activity areas to ensure their safety. A graphic-map of the construction area is available online at www.nww.usace.army.mil/html/offices/pa/NR/NR11_files/NR11-142map.jpg.

For more information about this project or for general information about Mill Creek Diversion Dam and/or Bennington Lake, call the Mill Creek office at (509) 527-7160.