UDOT

Crews have built new highways, trails and interchanges

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) completed 138 projects statewide during 2024, with a total value of approximately $1 billion. 

In 2024, UDOT undertook major improvements to Utah’s transportation network, including bridge repairs, new highways and interchanges, enhanced safety features, and expanded multi-use trails that connect existing systems. Below is a list of projects completed in last year on Utah’s highways.

West Davis Highway, from Farmington to West Point ($750 million) — Crews completed this new, 16-mile, four-lane divided highway, improving access to and from West Davis County and finishing six months ahead of schedule. The highway runs from I-15 near Glovers Lane in Farmington to the future extension of SR-193 and 4500 West in West Point. This project also improved opportunities for active transportation by adding nearly 10 miles of new trails and 

connecting several existing regional trails, like Emigration Trail with the Legacy Parkway Trail. Environmental considerations were implemented, too, and UDOT preserved 1,110 acres of wetlands near the Great Salt Lake to safeguard the environment. 

Airport bridges in Salt Lake County ($9.7 million) — This project extended the lifespan of 19 crucial bridges across Salt Lake County, including rehabilitations along the route to Salt Lake International Airport and over I-80, Bangerter Highway, Redwood Road, SR-201 and SR-202.

I-15 bridge work in Salt Lake County ($14 million) — Over the summer months, UDOT repaired bridge decks and fixed potholes on 32 bridges on I-15 in Salt Lake County from 400 North to 11400 South. Crews also replaced the joints on six bridges in the area. 

New I-15 interchange in Washington City ($78.3 million) — UDOT opened a new interchange on I-15 at Main Street in Washington City, near St. George. This project also widened I-15, created a new travel lane in each direction and improved access to the rapidly-expanding area.

Pleasant Grove Boulevard intersection updates ($16 million) — This project enhanced traffic flow and access to I-15 from the intersection of Pleasant Grove Boulevard and North County Boulevard. UDOT added more left turns, widened Pleasant Grove Boulevard and added new traffic signals to the north and east of the intersection. Crews also resurfaced North County Boulevard from 2000 West to State Street in American Fork and upgraded curbs, gutters, sidewalks and landscaping. 

Redwood Road in Taylorsville ($8.5 million) — UDOT widened Redwood Road in Taylorsville from 6200 South to the I-215 interchange, improving access, efficiency and safety in the area. Additional lanes were added to the eastbound and westbound on-ramps to I-215 to further enhance traffic flow. 

SR-67 (Legacy Parkway) from Bountiful to Farmington ($12.1 million) — This project renewed SR-67 (Legacy Parkway) from 500 South in Bountiful to the I-15 ramps in Farmington. Crews removed and replaced the top layer of asphalt, repaired soft spots in the road and updated road signs and striping. This project extended the life of the existing pavement and upgraded the driving experience for motorists.

I-15 bridge repairs in Nephi ($17.8 million) — UDOT used this maintenance project to replace the driving surface on two Nephi bridges and completed various repairs on seven others near the area. Crews also rehabilitated 80 lane miles of pavement. 

Provo 300 South improvements ($18.6 million) — This project made many improvements along 300 South in Provo. Crews repaved 300 South and replaced infrastructure in the area (storm drains, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveway access), added safety features (a signalized intersection at 400 East, enhanced lighting and a crosswalk at 200 East) and improved active transportation by adding a pedestrian and bike paths. 

SR-39 (Ogden Canyon) safety upgrades ($2.8 million) — UDOT crews installed centerline rumble strips throughout all of Ogden Canyon and replaced roadside barriers in its narrowest section. These upgrades reduce the risk of crossover crashes and help prevent vehicles from leaving the road.

UDOT’s 2024 at a glance:

January: Opened all lanes of the new West Davis Highway

More than 2,500 people participated in a run, walk or bike event to celebrate the opening of all lanes on the new 16-mile-long West Davis Highway. This project was anticipated to conclude in summer but our crews actually finished six months ahead of schedule. 

February: Kept Utah’s roads clear of snow and ice

UDOT’s snowplow drivers cleared  more than 200,300 miles of snow in one month, keeping Utahns safe and moving during several winter storms.

March: Received $87.6 million federal grant to connect St. George neighborhoods

With the help of residents, the City of St. George and the Dixie Metropolitan Planning Organization, UDOT secured funding from the federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCP) grant program to add new street crossings in St. George. The new crossings will be added along I-15 near the intersection of 400 East and 900 South. Once in place, the crossings will connect local routes on the east and west side of St. George, making it easier for residents and tourists to travel where they want, when they want. 

April: Wrapped up Utah County lane striping project, began phase two 

Crews wrapped the largest lane striping project in state history on Utah County roads, and then launched phase two of the Enhanced Freeway Striping project on sections of I-15, I-215, I-80 and SR-201 in Salt Lake, Davis, Tooele and Summit counties. This project is replacing lane markings on Wasatch Front freeways with new, wider, contrast striping lines, which use white and black lines (“tiger tails”) to enhance visibility and reflectivity. Tiger tails are also useful for autonomous vehicle sensors and cameras, which are starting to get funded by a federal “V2X” grant. 

May: Launched the “Keeping Utah Beautiful” program

Gov. Spencer Cox joined UDOT crews to launch the Keeping Utah Beautiful program. This new program allows volunteers to easily go online and sign up for a one-time cleanup session of state roads. The volunteer cleanups will supplement the work of UDOT crews, who regularly pick up litter across the state. 

June: Won a federal “V2X” grant to connect travelers and infrastructure  

UDOT secured a $20 million federal grant to connect the west with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology. V2X technology, which uses sensors and wireless connectivity, allows drivers, their cars and surrounding infrastructure to communicate important safety information with each other. Once implemented, V2X will improve mobility and efficiency for all travellers, including emergency and maintenance vehicles. 

July: Announced the inaugural round of funding for the Utah Trail Network

The Utah Transportation Commission approved nearly $95 million to build 19 new paved trails and close gaps between existing ones across the state. This investment supports the newly launched Utah Trail Network, which aims to create a regional paved trail system. The network is designed to connect Utahns of all ages and abilities to their destinations and communities, promoting accessibility and active transportation.

August: Launched LiDAR technology to improve safety at intersections

UDOT led the nation in advanced traffic and safety detection by unveiling its usage of LiDAR technology at intersections. Unlike traditional detection devices, which only provided a view of the stop line, LiDAR uses eye-safe laser beams to create a 3D model of the entire intersection. This includes detailed vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist movements and extends visibility several hundred feet in each direction. With this comprehensive view, traffic engineers can better track movements and identify areas needing safety improvements. 

September: Paved US-6 in Spanish Fork with HiMod asphalt 

In September, UDOT paved a section of US-6 in Spanish Fork with “HiMod”– a weather-resistant durable asphalt mix created by UDOT engineers. With its unique blend, HiMod will endure the demands of this heavily traveled area longer than traditional asphalt while requiring less maintenance. The paving process also saved taxpayer dollars by reducing the number of layers needed, cutting labor and paving time in half while still delivering superior compaction and durability.

October: Installed more than 1,000 accessible crosswalk buttons 

This fall, UDOT became one of the first states to implement widespread use of accessible pedestrian signal (APS) technology at crosswalks. APS technology utilizes two kinds of action—movement (like nodding or waving) or activation via an app—to assist pedestrians in triggering signals and crossing intersections. Crews have installed more than 1,000 buttons at nearly 250 intersections and plan to install APS technology at every signalized intersection on state routes by 2033. 

November: Placed a pedestrian bridge over Bangerter Highway at 9800 South

UDOT enacted a quick overnight closure of Bangerter Highway to place a new pedestrian bridge over Bangerter Highway, near 9800 South. The bridge opened on December 24 and will provide safer access to neighborhoods, Elk Meadows Elementary School and Elk Ridge Middle School.

December: Tested new Wyssen Towers in Little Cottonwood Canyon 

This summer, UDOT installed 16 Wyssen Avalanche Towers in Little Cottonwood Canyon on the Mount Superior ridgeline. These towers drop explosives when triggered remotely and make avalanche mitigation safer and more efficient. The Wyssen Towers, in addition to other mitigation equipment in Big Cottonwood Canyon, were tested in early December to kickoff the upcoming winter season.