- UDOT plans to begin 176 projects worth $2.8 billion in 2026, improving Utah's infrastructure.
- Key projects include a $621M freeway connection in Lehi, and many projects near I-15.
- Some projects also target transit and trails across the state.
WEST VALLEY CITY — Orange cones are coming to a road near you.
Utah transportation officials announced Thursday that they're planning to begin 176 new construction projects worth approximately $2.8 billion in 2026, while simultaneously working to complete 57 projects that had started before this year.
The projects range in complexity, from fixing worn pavement to easing congestion on busy corridors, and they range in modes of transportation. Some will seek to expand options for people who walk, bike or use transit, said Lisa Wilson, deputy director for the Utah Department of Transportation.
"Every project we start is about taking care of the system Utahns rely on every day. From fixing key routes and preserving bridges to building trails and supporting transit, this work is focused on making travel safer, more reliable and more accessible," she said. "At the end of the day, our goal is simple: help people get where they're going safely."
The biggest road projects starting in 2026
Some of UDOT's biggest new projects are already underway. The agency unveiled its top project list days after construction began on a $65 million project to expand Legacy Parkway in Davis County. It will add a new lane in each direction of the highway by the end of this year.
Ground broke last week on a $621 million project to create a 2.8-mile "freeway-to-freeway connection" between Mountain View Corridor and I-15 in Lehi, as well. That one is a little more complex, as it calls for 14 new bridges, as well as two new pedestrian bridges, and 2 miles of shared paths to accommodate growth in northern Utah County.
"This freeway will do more than just move vehicles. We will shorten the distance between families, sync our growing economies and bridge the gap between where we are and where we are going," said Sen. Heidi Balderree, R-Saratoga Springs, during an event last week.
That's also why it's not expected to be completed until the end of 2028. It's one of several projects valued at over $100 million set to start this year:
- The state plans to embark on a $385 million project to build a new interchange at the intersection of 1800 North and I-15 in Clearfield. The project, slated to end in late 2027, also calls for widening 1800 North to 2000 West and an overpass at 500 West to cross the railroad.
- There's also a $361 million project to build a new interchange at I-15 and 5600 South in Weber County. That project also calls for the widening of 5600 South between I-15 and 3500 West, as well as new sidewalks, pedestrian ramps and a trail system. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year
- UDOT also plans to widen I-15 between Bluff Street and St. George Boulevard in St. George, adding an extra lane. The $175 million project includes two new underpasses and is expected to be completed by early 2028.
- Another project calls for the reconstruction of I-125 West from state Route 201 to an area a little north of I-80 in Salt Lake City. The $150 million project would also rehabilitate 30 bridges and repave 14 miles of ramps on I-80 and California Avenue by the time it's completed next year.
- Some work has already started to prepare for a $105 million project to widen U.S. 189 in Provo Canyon, too. It calls for some hillside excavation and lane shifts this year. The project is slated to be completed in late 2027.
Several other projects address sections of I-15, including a $91 million project to build a 13-mile-long climbing lane on northbound I-15 in Iron County and to reconstruct a portion of a bridge at Hamilton Fort. A few other smaller projects seek to repair or replace pavement and bridge decks along sections in Salt Lake and Juab counties.
The projects may result in lane closures or other travel impacts this year. UDOT officials say drivers should also slow down in work zones.
Transit and trails
Not all of UDOT's projects are tied to roads. For example, a plan to extend the Utah Transit Authority's S-Line streetcar farther into Sugar House is on track to begin in May.
Salt Lake City leaders approved an interlocal agreement with the agency on Tuesday, which essentially finalized the $43.6 million project that adds about a quarter of a mile to the line. The new service is expected to be available by UTA's August schedule change day in 2027.
"This extension may seem short, but its impact is huge and part of a long-term effort making it easier to choose transit, reduce traffic and support local businesses at the heart of Sugar House," said Salt Lake City Councilwoman Sarah Young.
UDOT also plans to embark on a $12.5 million project to add a new trail section alongside state Route 128 near Moab. It will help close a 0.7-mile gap between the Colorado River Trail and Grandstaff Campground, while eventually connecting with several different hiking and biking trails, campgrounds and river access points in the area.
It, too, is expected to be completed next year.
