The Foothills Trail near the Crocker Trailhead will close periodically Aug. 5 to Aug. 14 due to maintenance work on the Carbon River levee next to the trail. Pierce County crews will install large rocks weighing several tons as part of planned maintenance to protect the levee during high river flow.

“This maintenance work is needed to protect people and property when a lot of water is flowing in the Carbon River,” said Pierce County Public Works and Utilities surface water manager Harold Smelt. “We recognize these periodic closures of the trail are inconvenient, so we appreciate the community’s patience.”

Trucks and heavy equipment will periodically cross the trail near the intersection of Highway 162 and 177th Street East, leading to intermittent closures. These closures are expected to be short in duration, and will take place between 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Flaggers will be on the trail to close it when necessary and the trail will be narrowed around the worksite for public safety.

The county has posted signs at trailheads and on either side of the work site warning trail users of the maintenance work and intermittent closures. People on the trail should use caution around the work site and follow instructions from the crew. Due to federal, state and local environmental regulations, construction on most river projects must be done during the summer to avoid impacts to salmon.