Santaquin advances Forest Service land-swap work and Turkey Run bridge engineering

Santaquin — City leaders said Sept. 2 they have submitted appraisal information and bridge engineering drawings to the U.S. Forest Service as part of an effort to swap and consolidate public lands and to enable construction of a new bridge on Turkey Run.

Council members said staff produced the requested appraisal materials for a proposed swap that would make a contiguous park parcel from two separated tracts (an "Upper 40" and another 80-acre parcel). The council reported those documents have been forwarded to the district ranger for review.

In a related item, staff said engineering calculations and drawings for a replacement bridge on Turkey Run — including considerations for ADA access — were delivered to the Forest Service. The council said the district ranger indicated an approval would allow the city to proceed under the current NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) clearance for the trail, enabling better crossings of the stream for bicyclists, pedestrians and ADA users.

No formal agreement or permit had been finalized at the Sept. 2 meeting. Council members said they planned to continue coordination with the Forest Service and the district ranger as the review proceeds.

The council also noted the design work that was completed will support future construction and improve trail accessibility should the Forest Service approve the swap and bridge replacement.