Park City Public Utilities maintains two mine tunnels that were originally constructed in the early 1900’s. These two tunnels were constructed as groundwater drainage tunnels that redirected water out of other active mining tunnels. Now abandoned from mining activities, the Spiro Tunnel produces a continuous flow of water from the tunnel (varying seasonally between 4,000 and 10,000 gpm), is a substantial water source for Park City, and is the headwaters of McLeod Creek. Park City operates and maintains 13,000 feet of the tunnel for water collection/conveyance and needs to ensure safe passage and working conditions within the tunnel.

SPIRO MINE ENTRY CONCEPTS

Project

Through studies and surveys, the Spiro Tunnel Mine Tunnel Rehabilitation project developed recommendations and priorities for tunnel reconstruction, ventilation improvements, replacement of 60-year old water conveyance piping within the tunnel, and other improvements to facilitate long-term maintenance. The first 400 feet of the tunnel was prioritized for immediate work. Future projects will address other prioritized areas within the tunnel.

In conjunction with the reconstruction of the tunnel portal (entrance), a new plaza at the portal was included with the intent to share the history of the tunnel.

A ribbon cutting was held on October 5, 2021. Event proceedings can be found at the following link:.

A “TownLift” article describing the event is available at the following link:  https://townlift.com/2021/10/snapped-spiro-mine-tunnel-restored/.

Benefits

• Worker safety during mine tunnel maintenance and operations; and
• Reliable raw water deliveries through the tunnel, to the 3KWTP, and to downstream water obligations

Project Team

• Planning, Design, Construction Engineering: Lithos Engineering
• Mining Specialist Contractor: Harrison Western (performed under an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI or CMGC) construction contract delivery method. 
• Plaza Design: Zehren Architects

Project Costs

• Total Project Cost: $4.6 million

Project Timeline

• Planning for the project began in 2019. 
• Construction was performed during 2019, 2020, and 2021.