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UDOT outlines US 191 switchback rebuild near Flaming Gorge
Summary
A Utah Department of Transportation presentation described major work on U.S. Highway 191 to reduce steep grades and hairpin curves near Flaming Gorge, including longer curves, climbing lanes and an emergency truck ramp; the presenter credited a local Simplot operation with moving more than 10 million cubic yards of material over two years.
A staff member (Utah Department of Transportation) said the agency is carrying out major improvements on a stretch of U.S. Highway 191 near Flaming Gorge to address hairpin curves and steep grades, with changes that include longer sweeping curves, climbing lanes, a new emergency truck ramp and optimized grades to improve driver safety and efficiency.
The projects matter because the presenter said the current alignment creates slowdowns and safety risks when large vehicles such as semitrailers and campers negotiate the switchbacks. “Having those switchbacks gone is going to eliminate a lot of accidents. Many of those are actually big rigs,” the staff member said during the briefing.
According to the presentation, the work involved large‑scale earthmoving and construction tasks. The speaker said Simplot, a company located near U.S. 191, partnered with UDOT to move more than 10 million cubic yards of dirt to build a new highway embankment and that the partner completed that earthwork in about two years, saving the state time and money. “We're talking longer sweeping curves, climbing lanes, a new emergency truck ramp, and optimized grades to improve driver safety and efficiency,” the staff member said.
The briefing framed the improvements as intended to reduce delays for truckers and tourists and to improve scenic views for motorists. The presenter also said the project will make travel “much safer and with less stress,” and added, “New road, new views, same destination. Just a whole lot smoother getting there.” These statements are described here as the presenter characterized them; no funding amounts, construction schedule, or formal approvals were provided in the transcript.
No motions, votes or formal decisions were recorded in the provided transcript; the item was presented as an informational briefing. The transcript did not specify funding sources, contract numbers or an overall project timeline beyond the speaker’s statement that the partner moved the earth “in just 2 years.”
UDOT told listeners to “stay tuned” as the agency continues its work to improve the corridor; the transcript did not include further details about next steps, construction phasing, or public comment opportunities.
