Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- U.S. 6 through Spanish Fork Canyon is considered Utah's deadliest highway, with 148 lives lost since 1991.
The Utah Department of Transportation has worked on a number of improvements to reduce the toll, and this summer is committing nearly $17 million to six projects on highway.
At the same time, the Utah Highway Patrol has increased its patrols of the highway, particularly in the areas having the worst accident rates.
"In the final analysis, it's a safer road today than it was five years ago," said Rep. Brad King, D-Price, who along with other legislators from Carbon and Emery counties has lobbied for years for additional funding for the highway.
"The important thing is that, over the last five years, there has been at least one real significant project each year," King said. "There are 64 miles between Spanish Fork and Price, and half of those miles are now three- and four-lane road. It has started to make a difference."
Officials believe the addition of more passing lanes, with more signs informing motorists that passing lanes are just ahead, have made a difference.
They also cite small improvements like reflective striping and rumble stripping in the middle of the road.
UDOT plans three new widening or passing-lane projects this summer, along with more maintenance work.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
