Lincoln Highway approaching Salt Lake City.Despite getting a B+ grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers for the condition of its roads and bridges, Utah still needs improvements to prevent economic growth from being stifled, according to a report from The Road Improvement Program.
In its report, “Utah’s Most Critical Surface Transportation Projects to Support Economic Growth and Quality of Life,” TRIP points out that 8 percent of the state’s major urban roads are in poor condition and 9 percent of the rural roads are in poor condition. While only 3 percent of the bridges are structurally deficient, 11 percent are functionally obsolete.
Needed road projects for the Wasatch Front area, which contains most of the state’s population including Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden, include:
- Construction of the State Route 85/Mountain View Corridor
- Adding two general purpose lanes on Interstate 15 in Box Elder and Weber Counties
- Widening and reconstruction of State Route 201 in Salt Lake County
- Widening and reconstruction of Interstate 15 in Davis County
- Widening and reconstruction of portions of State Route 108 in Weber and Davis Counties
- New Interstate 15 interchanges at 1800N and Shepard Lane
- Widening and reconstruction of Interstate 15 near Hill Air Force Base
“Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan (UTP) identifies the comprehensive investments in state and local roads, transit and bike projects needed across Utah,” said Andrew Gruber, executive director of the Wasatch Front Regional Council. “If funded, the $11.3 billion shortfall identified for our critical transportation projects will support our growing economy, improve our air quality and enhance our overall quality of life.”
The UTP outlines the need for $70.1 billion in highway and transit improvements over the next 30 years, but estimates only $43.4 billion would be available via current funding sources.
