AASHTO Journal - Utah DOT Gets $1.4B for New State Transportation Projects

The Utah Transportation Commission recently gave the green light to $1.4 billion worth of new transportation projects for northwest Utah County.

[Above photo by Utah DOT]

The Utah Department of Transportation noted that new funding will help it build two new freeways and a freeway extension. When combined with previously approved projects, the new funding represents a $2.1 billion investment into Utah County through the end of the decade.

“This significant investment represents our commitment to building a transportation system that meets the needs of all Utahns,” noted Utah DOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras in a statement. “As we continue to grow as a state, we will work to find transportation solutions to help everyone get to where they want in the way they want.”

In particular, he said the investment in Utah Country transportation infrastructure will address the growing mobility needs of the region – particularly in the cities of Lehi, Saratoga Springs, and Eagle Mountain – due to “tremendous population growth.”

The agency noted that those new projects represent the state’s biggest transportation investment in Utah County since the I-15 CORE project wrapped in 2012; a project that reconstructed 24 miles of freeway from Lehi to Spanish Fork.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to improve travel through northwest Utah County,” noted Utah DOT Region Three Director Rob Clayton “These projects will greatly benefit both the residents and travelers in the region, ensuring better commutes and improved connectivity.”

As the population in the area continues to grow, Clayton said the agency “remains steadfast” in its commitment to meet increasing travel demands and elevate our road, transit, pedestrian, commuter, bike, and freight travel capabilities.

That new funding adds to Utah DOT’s 2024 construction plan – unveiled in May – which encompasses 209 projects with a total value of $2.74 billion. Many of those projects also include critical active transportation components, the agency said.

Lisa Wilson, Utah DOT deputy director of engineering and operations, noted in a separate statement that planned improvements incorporated within the agency’s 2024 construction plan range from repaving rural highways, building freeway-style interchanges, replacing aging bridges, improving pedestrian access, and building new trails.

“These projects are part of our commitment to helping people get where they want, in the way they want, safely and efficiently,” Wilson said. “This includes building new projects to help meet growth demands, maintaining our aging roads and bridges, and building out our transportation network to accommodate drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.”