Roadwork sparks frustration in Eagle Mountain as Pony Express Parkway narrows

EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Starting Monday, drivers in Eagle Mountain will face significant traffic disruptions as the city begins a roadwork project on Pony Express Parkway, one of its two main arterial roads.

The construction, aimed at repairing pavement settling around a stormwater culvert, is expected to last until Nov. 26, and will reduce traffic to one lane in each direction.

Tyler Maffitt, communications manager for Eagle Mountain, said the project is necessary and urgent.

"We're going to be making an assessment of what's underneath that pavement settling, and we'll be making adjustments as construction work continues," Maffitt explained. "We do anticipate some backups, especially during morning and evening commutes, and we're encouraging motorists to be mindful of that starting Monday."

Eagle Mountain residents, however, are already expressing concern over the impact on daily life.

"There's already congestion going up and down Pioneer," said Mike Elkington, a resident. "Now they're taking one of the only two east-west roads down to one lane. That's going to be a problem."

Elkington recalled a recent traffic jam caused by a malfunctioning light on Pioneer Road.

"It added at least an hour to people's commute," Elkington said. "That was just from a light outage. Imagine what two months of lane closures will do."

Elkington, who's lived in Eagle Mountain for over a decade, said the city's growth has outpaced its infrastructure.

"When we moved out here, it was quiet and calm. Now they've gone nuts with the building, and it seems like they're reacting to it rather than planning ahead," Elkington said. "It almost feels like the real estate developers are running the show, and the city is just trying to keep up."

Elkington also pointed out the impact on local schools.

"There are four schools right off Pony Express Parkway. We drive that road every morning. One lane is not a thrill to think about," Elkington said.

Maffitt acknowledged the frustration and said the city had considered overnight construction.

"We definitely had an interest in doing this roadwork overnight," he said. "But we weren't going to be able to open all lanes during the day, so the decision was made to push through and finish before winter weather sets in."

Long-term solutions

Looking ahead, Maffitt said the city is working on long-term solutions. State Route 73 is expected to become a freeway, and they've extended Mid Valley Road and Airport Road to help distribute traffic. There are also plans to connect Mid Valley Road into Redwood Road, creating a third arterial route out of the community.

Despite the plans, residents remain skeptical.

"It's a daily disruption for thousands of people," Elkington said. "We just hope the city gets it right."

Maffitt concluded with a plea for patience and safety.

"We're working with diligence to ensure we do this as quickly as possible," he said. "We encourage motorists to slow down and travel safely, especially on Pony Express Parkway starting Monday."

City officials acknowledge the inconvenience but stress the urgency of the repairs.

"We do anticipate, given the pavement settling, that all four lanes will be interrupted at one point or another during the construction work," Maffitt said.

The city said the timeline could shift depending on what crews find beneath the surface once work begins. Maffitt added that officials are aware of the traffic frustrations and are coordinating with state routes like state Route 73 to help mitigate congestion.

As the community braces for delays, residents and city leaders alike hope the short-term pain will lead to long-term improvements.

Related topics