Low bids on National Park Service projects stretch stimulus money

WASHINGTON — Call it a silver lining of the recession: The National Park Service says bids for its stimulus-funded projects nationwide came in so low from contractors fighting for work that it saved $129 million nationally. So it is spending that savings on an additional 30 projects nationally.

"We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to do so much more with our Recovery Act funding than we originally planned. Certainly the market dynamics play a significant role in the pricing we're seeing, but I also credit the execution and hard work of our team," said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis.

In the final list of all projects receiving funding, Utah national parks and monuments are receiving $17.8 million in stimulus funding.

The majority of that is going for one project: $10.98 million to demolish and replace condemned portions of the Quarry Visitor Center at Dinosaur National Monument. That center had covered a cliffside full of dinosaur fossils that had carefully been uncovered in place.

The building had been condemned as unsafe and closed in recent years, even though it was the main attraction of the monument. The number of visitors to that monument plummeted in that time. The Obama administration repeatedly has pointed to it as one of the most noteworthy park repairs being performed with stimulus money.

All other parks and monuments in Utah have received at least some stimulus money.

Arches National Park received $78,000 to construct a flood diversion wall. Bryce Canyon National Park received $545,000 to repair the historic Bristlecone Trail and to replace some comfort stations. Canyonlands National Park received $153,000 to replace some failing propane tanks and to rehabilitate a maintenance facility.

Capitol Reef National Park received $163,000 to replace siding and windows at employee residences and to increase energy efficiency in park buildings. Cedar Breaks National Monument received $150,000 to repair trails and fences and do preventive maintenance at the North View and Chessman overlooks. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area received $4.1 million for preservation treatment on 68 miles of roads.

Golden Spike National Historic Site received $66,000 to repair trails and replace boundary and auto tour gates. Hovenweep National Monument received $55,000 for maintenance on the historic Cajon Pueblo. Natural Bridges National Monument received $475,000 to stabilize structures at the historic Bare Ladder Ruin and to replace some failing solar energy equipment.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument received $192,000 to construct a roof extension on the cave exit shelter to protect visitors from rockfall. Zion National Park received $862,000 for trail repairs in Zion Canyon plus installation of solar energy equipment at a variety of park buildings.

This story was reported from Salt Lake City.

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