City to replace faulty snowmelt system in Park City High School pedestrian tunnel

PARK CITY, Utah – The pedestrian tunnel under SR-248 near Park City High School will close this summer to replace the non-functioning snowmelt system installed beneath the concrete. The system was damaged during the initial installation in 2019, according to a staff report, and has been non-functional since 2021. In years since, the snow has been manually removed. “Ongoing efforts were made to get the system working correctly,” according to the report, “but over time, it became clear that a more comprehensive fix would be necessary.”

The defective snowmelt system resulted in ongoing litigation between the original contractor and the City, and the new system will be installed by a different contractor. The new radiant heat system will be installed on the existing tunnel and ramp floors. A new layer of concrete will then be poured on top of the tubing, creating a new walking surface through the tunnel.

“This is an important step to protect the tunnel’s integrity and ensure taxpayers receive long-term value from their investment,” said City Engineer John Robertson in a release from the city. “We recognize the closure is an inconvenience and regret that the temporary disruption is necessary. Our top priority is maintaining public safety throughout construction while preserving long-term access for area residents — especially students and families who rely on this crossing daily to get to and from school and after-school activities.”

The tunnel was constructed to create a safe and reliable connection between the school district campus and surrounding neighborhoods, and repairs are expected to be completed before students return to school in the fall. To compensate for the closure, the city has installed a temporary pedestrian-activated HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) signal for pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross Kearns Boulevard.