The Utah Transportation Commission voted Friday to add a study and partial design funding for a grade‑separated overpass on SR‑39 (Twelfth Street) in Ogden over Union Pacific and UTA tracks.

The commission’s action directs UDOT to complete an environmental study and a portion of design for a future grade separation, which staff said will address daily congestion and vehicle backups caused by the nearby rail yards and frequent car and freight movements. Commissioner Natalie Goughner moved to approve the addition and commissioners voted in favor.

UDOT staff described the crossing as a “busy highway” where trains and switching activity cause traffic to back up onto state routes and push drivers to make U‑turns and circuitous detours through adjacent neighborhoods. Commissioner Brad Van Tassel said the area’s backups force drivers into “flooding neighborhoods” and produce high speeds on residential streets when drivers seek alternate routes.

UDOT said the project is intended to improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians and to reduce congestion. The department will return with environmental findings and recommended design steps as the study proceeds.

What happens next: the department will proceed with the environmental work and the partial design approved by the commission, and bring any recommended construction funding or specific construction actions back to the commission for approval.