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Castle Valley debates support for $12M LaSalle Loop road grant, seeks targeted letter
Summary
County project presenter outlined an $11.9 million federal lands access grant to repave and repair Culver/Castleton segments of the LaSalle Mountain Loop; council members and residents pressed for a scaled letter of support that backs culvert repairs and repaving but rejects parking expansion and major alignment changes that could increase visitation.
Dan, a project representative for the county'led Federal Lands Access Program application, presented plans to the Castle Valley Town Council on Nov. 20 for a two'phase project on LaSalle Mountain Loop Road and Castleton Road that would resurface pavement, enlarge shoulders in places and replace or upsize numerous culverts.
Dan said the application seeks roughly $11.9 million (escalated to a proposed 2028 construction year) and that most of the money would pay for new asphalt on the phase'one section from Highway 128 up to Castle Valley Drive. He described technical elements including lowering a crest to improve stopping sight distance and creating a small off'road gravel parking area near the Castleton Tower climbing access to reduce shoulder parking.
Council members and residents asked detailed questions about design choices. One council member noted earlier iterations proposed bike lanes but that the design was scaled back for budget reasons; Dan said bike lanes could be added if the town or BLM pushed for them during scoping. Council members also pressed the presenter for safety data; Dan said county records show seven property'damage crashes on the stretch since 2005 and no reported injuries in those records.
Multiple residents warned that improving the road typically increases visitation and speeds, potentially harming the valley''s dark'sky status and creating additional parking pressure. One resident said, "If you improve the road, you actually increase the numbers of people on that road," and urged a cautious approach that distinguishes drainage and safety work from improvements that would encourage more visitors.
The council discussed whether to send a blanket letter of support or a targeted letter that specifies which project elements the town supports and which it opposes. Dan recommended submitting a letter that identified components the town supports and called out any elements it does not; he offered to help draft the language. Council members agreed to draft a targeted letter by email, consult residents and return the item for formal action at a subsequent meeting.
The next procedural step is for the council to agree on the final wording of a letter of support or conditional support to submit to the program decision committee. Dan told the council the committee wants evidence of broad stakeholder support to avoid later controversy during design and construction.
