SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 16, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Transportation Commission has approved nearly $95 million in funding to plan and build roughly 60 miles of paved trails throughout the state.
Plans call for the Utah Department of Transportation to build 19 new paved trails and complete existing gaps in the Utah Trail Network to better connect Utahns to their communities and destinations.
“Generations from now people will look back at this moment and realize how pivotal the Utah Trail Network was in changing the way we travel,” UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras said. “These projects will connect communities in ways that provide transportation choices for everyone to commute, recreate and enjoy.”
In 2022, Gov. Spencer Cox shared his vision for a statewide trail network that would connect Utahns of all ages and abilities to their destinations and communities throughout the state. In 2023, the Utah Legislature created the Active Transportation Investment Fund to help provide transportation access for all.
“We have heard the public asking for more trails and are inspired by the trail planning and development efforts across the state,” Braceras said. “These efforts are bringing people together, and we want to do our part by connecting communities through a state-funded program that will build trails as part of the state’s transportation system.”
The initial round of funding allows 13 projects to get underway as soon as 2025, according to UDOT.
Bingham Creek Trail, Salt Lake County ($14 million)
A new 6.3-mile trail will connect the Jordan River Parkway Trail to Bingham Creek Regional Park in Daybreak and the Mountain View Corridor trail. It also will connect to multiple TRAX stations, parks and neighborhoods over the length of the project.
Colorado River Trail Gap, Grand County ($12.5 million)
A new section of trail will fill a 0.7-mile gap on the Colorado River Trail along state Route 128 in Moab. The completed trail will connect to numerous hiking trails, mountain biking trails, campgrounds and river access points along the corridor.
3900/4100 South Shared Use Path, Salt Lake County ($10 million)
A new east-west trail along 3900/4100 South will be constructed for people to cross the Salt Lake Valley to the Jordan River Parkway Trail. The trail will take advantage of available space and avoid freeway interchanges. This round of funding will build 1.4 miles of trail from West Temple to Jordan River Parkway.
Moab Canyon Pathway, Grand County ($8.8 million)
A new 3-mile trail extension will connect Moab Canyon Pathway with the future Utahraptor State Park visitor center. The trail will run parallel with U.S. 191 and tie into the existing trail system that continues south into Moab.
State Route 108/2050 North Trail Separated Crossing, Davis County ($8.7 million)
A new separated crossing will allow people on 2050 North to safely cross state Route 108. The underpass will complete the citywide 2050 North trail, which currently has a gap at 2000 West, and connect the 1800 North Trail and Denver and Rio Grande Western Rail Trail to the east.
Vineyard Connector/800 North Trail, Utah County ($5 million)
A new 2.1-mile trail will be built from Interstate 15 to the Utah Lakeshore Trail in downtown Vineyard. The trail will run parallel with Vineyard Connector Road (state Route 176), as well as a portion of 800 North (state Route 52) and provide a critical east-west connection for residents and commuters while integrating with Vineyard’s downtown.
Welby Jacobs Canal Trail North in Riverton, Salt Lake County ($7 million)
A new 1.5-mile shared-use path will be built from 12600 South to 13800 South in Riverton along the Welby Jacobs Canal. The trail is expected to cross over 13400 South using a separated crossing.
Jordan River Parkway Trail Connection at 1300 West in Bluffdale, Salt Lake County ($600,000)
A new 0.5-mile trail will be built along 1300 West in Bluffdale from a future separated trail crossing over Union Pacific Railroad and Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner tracks to a nearby segment of the Jordan River Parkway Trail to the north.
Steinaker Service Canal Trail, Uintah County ($4.5 million)
A new 1.9-mile trail will be built from 500 North (state Route 121) to U.S. 40 in Vernal. The path will follow a portion of the Steinaker Service Canal, as well as a segment of 500 North, and will connect to a local school, senior citizens center and office plaza.
Heber Valley Railroad Rail Trail, Wasatch County ($8 million)
This project includes 1.8 miles of paved trail from the Train Depot in Heber City to 1200 South, and from state Route 113 to the Deer Creek Trail at Soldier Hollow. The proposed trail will follow alongside the existing alignment of the Heber Valley Railroad.
U.S. 89 Trail, Mt. Carmel Junction to Orderville, Kane County ($7 million)
A 5-mile separated trail will be constructed from downtown Orderville to Mt. Carmel Junction in Kane County. The trail is one segment of a future network to connect residents and visitors to local destinations along the U.S. 89 corridor. The Long Valley Transportation plan identifies the path as a critical segment for commuters from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bear Lake Trail, Rich County ($3 million)
A 0.8-mile trail will begin where the existing trail ends at the Bear Lake Marina and end just south of Broad Hollow Road. The path will run parallel with Bear Lake Boulevard/U.S. 89 to the west and connect to amenities on the west side of the lake.
Blacksmith Fork River Trail, Cache County ($4 million)
A 1.8-mile trail will connect people from Ridgeline High School to the Blackhawk Soccer Complex in Cache Valley. The trail will follow the Blacksmith Fork River and connect to the existing Logan River Trail.
Five additional trail projects were funded for feasibility study work:
Hill Air Force Base Gate Trail, Weber County ($300,000)
The proposed 8-mile trail would run from Clearfield into downtown Ogden along Hill Air Force Base.
State Route 130 Trail, Iron County ($300,000)
The proposed 6.6-mile trail would run from Enoch to Cedar City in Iron County.
Carbonville Road Trail, Carbon County ($300,000)
The proposed 6.4-mile trail would run from downtown Helper to Price. The study will consider several potential alignments, including U.S. 6/U.S. 191, the railroad corridor and the Price River.
Phoston Spur Trail and Rail Trail/State Route 248, Wasatch/Summit counties ($600,000)
The study will evaluate a separated crossing of state Route 248 and paving of the Rail Trail from Promontory Ranch Road to SR-248. It also will study the alignment and paving of the Phoston Spur Trail to the south.
Deer Creek Reservoir Trail, Wasatch County ($300,000)
The proposed 6.7-mile trail would begin at Soldier Hollow and connect to the Provo River Parkway Trail.
