Beehive State News

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has chosen two alternatives for further examination as part of the Heber Valley Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) study. This decision follows a re-screening process due to updated traffic projections that revealed higher volumes than previously anticipated.

The EIS, initiated in 2021, is intended to improve traffic flow on US-40 from SR-32 to US-189 and provide walking and biking opportunities. The aim is also to help Heber City meet its vision for its historic town center. Craig Hancock, UDOT’s project manager for the EIS, explained, “The updated traffic model showed a substantial increase in traffic, requiring us to adjust our approach. We thoroughly analyzed the new data to ensure our proposed improvements will meet the long-term travel needs of the community. While this added time to our schedule, we wanted to make sure we used the best available information to make the best possible recommendations.”

UDOT evaluated eight concepts, including both at-grade signalized intersections and grade-separated free-flow interchanges. Options that proposed a realignment of US-189 were dismissed due to redundancy and increased impacts on local infrastructure.

The newly released report indicates that free-flow alternatives are significantly faster than at-grade options. UDOT has opted to eliminate the at-grade options as they provided less benefit. Hancock noted, “This data-driven approach will allow us to build a long-term solution right from the start.”

Two free-flow alternatives are being advanced: Alternative A (on US-40) and Alternative B (off US-40). Both include a multi-use trail, freeway-style interchanges, and local access routes. Hancock stated, “We decided to advance two options for more detailed analysis in the study because each option offers benefits with different environmental impacts. When we release the Draft EIS this fall, we’ll welcome the community’s feedback on the refined alternatives and the tradeoffs between them.”

The team is refining the designs and conducting impact analyses of Alternatives A and B. A Draft EIS will identify a preferred alternative and invite public hearings and comments. The public is encouraged to stay informed by visiting the study website, attending local council meetings, and subscribing to email updates.