Crucial river road’s collapse gives Moab economy jitters

Grand County and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management are scrambling to find emergency federal funds to rebuild the Mineral Bottom Road, which was washed out earlier this year. The road is an important river-running link and mountain bike route in Grand County. They applied to the Federal Highway Administration for emergency aid of $1.8 million to $2.5 million, and Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, sent the agency a letter backing the bid.

Highway officials have said the road, maintained by the county but crossing federal land, qualifies for an emergency funding program to aid federal highways. They haven’t yet approved the application, though. The BLM estimates the road supports 87 jobs and about $1.9 million in annual recreation sales. Salt Lake Tribune