Fort Tuthill Utility Improvement Project

Project Updates (scroll down for pictures)

June 30, 2021 - 

Staff completed a preliminary punch list last week and a final walk through with the City of Flagstaff Water Services this week. There are a few minor issues outstanding including removal of a single downed tree, placement of 6 Carsonite markers at water valves, and some miscellaneous cleanup, but otherwise, staff anticipates closing out by the 30th.

One item that will need to be completed outside of the contract in FY22 is the welding of some sections of FUTS fence. Due to fire restrictions, the contractor was not able to complete this. For the short term, angle brackets and machine screws were used to install a couple sections of rail so that they are in place. Final welding will happen as conditions allow sometime later this summer.

SWI is completing as-builts and the City of Flagstaff is going through their final review prior to submitting to ADEQ, which should happen in the next two weeks. Once ADEQ receives the final plans, it will be about 4 weeks and then they should issue the approval to discharge.

May 28, 2021 - 

Trail for the reconstruction of the finish grade for the ~1 mile of trail between Mt. Dell and Fort Tuthill County Park is underway and is scheduled for completion the week of 5/31. There was a delay in getting the appropriate DG trail surface. The contractor is also finalizing the FUTS fencing in this area.

The contractor is completing epoxy coating and grouting of sewer manholes. Manhole work is proposed to be completed the week of 6/7.

Site operations are scheduled to conclude the week of 6/7. Once complete, as-built plans will be submitted to ADEQ for acceptance of work and approval to discharge and bring the utilities on-line for service.

The maintenance of Mt. Dell Rd./Palmer Avenue has been turned over to County Road Maintenance Division.

May 7, 2021 - 

Trail for the reconstruction of the finish grade for the ~1 mile of trail between Mt. Dell and Fort Tuthill County Park is underway and is scheduled for completion the week of 5/17.

The contractor is completing epoxy coating and grouting of sewer manholes. Manhole work is proposed to be completed the week of 5/17.

Site operations are scheduled to conclude the week of 5/24. Once complete, as-built plans will be submitted to ADEQ for acceptance of work and approval to discharge and bring the utilities on-line for service.

The maintenance of Mt. Dell Rd./Palmer Avenue has been turned over to County Road Maintenance Division.

April 30, 2021 - 

Reconstruction of the trail subgrade for the ~1 mile of trail between Mt. Dell and Fort Tuthill County Park is complete.

The schedule for the reconstruction of the finish grade for the ~1 mile of trail between Mt. Dell and Fort Tuthill County Park is proposed to begin May 11.

The contractor is completing epoxy coating and grouting of sewer manholes. Once complete, the City of Flagstaff will perform testing, scheduled for week of May 4.

Reconstruction of Getaway Trail Road turnout is complete.

The maintenance of Mt. Dell Rd./Palmer Avenue has been turned over to County Road Maintenance Division.

April 8, 2021 - 

Underground sewer line work is complete, and all service connections have been installed except for (1) cleanout to be installed on Pete Reznick’s property. The cleanout needs to connect to a section of ductile iron pipe and the fitting is on order. This is located at the west end of Mt. Dell, out of the paved section, on private property and it can be installed with minimal interference to the community or roadway.

Epoxy coating of manholes and pouring of concrete collars for the sewer is scheduled to occur week of 4/19 and 4/26.

Trail restoration and associated work (seeding, FUTS fencing) is underway. The current 3 week schedule has restoration work occurring through the week of 4/26.

Weather allowing we are hoping to have this project closed out in early May.

The maintenance of Mt. Dell Rd./Palmer Avenue has been turned over to County Road Maintenance Division.

 Read the press release

Project Overview

Fort Tuthill County Park will soon receive an infrastructure overhaul. The Board of Supervisors approved a contract that will construct a new sewer line from University Heights to and within the park, as well as a water line within the park which will connect with City of Flagstaff sewer and water utilities. Both utilities will be owned by the City of Flagstaff upon project completion.

Between July 2020 and May 2021, approximately 1.5 miles of sewer and 2,000 linear feet of water infrastructure will be built underneath a stretch of FUTS Trail on the Sinclair Wash Segment (west end). Most of the new infrastructure will be built underneath the FUTS Trail that leads to the park.

What does this mean for park visitors and FUTS Trail users? For park visitors, it means the opportunity for future park amenities such as an expanded campground and permanent year-round restrooms. For FUTS Trail users, it means there are going to be a few trail reroutes this summer along three miles of the Sinclair Wash Segment (west end) leading to Fort Tuthill County Park.

FUTS Trail Sinclair Wash Segment (west end) Construction and Reroute Information

FUTS Trail users should be prepared for trail reroutes beginning in July 2020 and ending in June 2021 along the Sinclair Wash Segment (west end) leading to Fort Tuthill County Park. Reroutes will be close to the existing FUTS Trail but will bypass the construction work. Trail conditions may be an increased grade, on single-track or along existing unpaved Forest Service Roads which are open to vehicular traffic. Trail users should be prepared for alternating portions of reroutes that change periodically. Directional signage will be provided onsite.

Fort Tuthill Utility Improvement Project_FUTS segment impact Opens in new window

Flagstaff Urban Trails and Bikeways Map - Sinclair Wash Trail (west end) segment 

FUTS Trail Reroutes

CPOS Funding

This project is funded through the Coconino Parks and Open Space (CPOS) voter-approved tax initiative. On November 5, 2002, Coconino County residents approved an open space acquisition and park development initiative to raise the County sales tax a one-eighth of one-cent for County parks. The initiative passed with 61% voter approval. The tax concluded in September 2014 with the accumulation of $33 million. It funded the Coconino Parks and Open Space Program (CPOS) to accomplish two goals: development and re-development of community parks in the County system, and acquisition of open space within critical natural areas in the greater Flagstaff area. These funds are only available to CPOS-funded and voter-approved projects and not for other purposes such as COVID-19 projects.

Financial Savings 

The project realizes several cost savings. First, Northern Arizona Healthcare will provide cost reimbursements on a water line that is going to their property near 89A. Second, by installing a water and wastewater line at the same time, construction is happening only once underneath the FUTS Trail and not twice, saving time, money, and more trail reroutes.

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Additional information

Project Engineer: Shephard-Westnitzer, Inc.

Project Contractor: Overley’s

Estimated Construction Cost: Approximately $2 million

Funded By: Coconino Parks and Open Space Program


The Mountain Dell Drainage Improvement Project 

The Mountain Dell Drainage Improvement Project in Mountain Dell will improve the drainage in the community to accommodate a 100-year flood event. The goal of this project is to decrease the size of the flood-affected area. When completed, the project will provide flood mitigation for 28 structures, including approximately 20 homes and the community’s water system, which could positively impact insurance rates for these properties. Read more.