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Council approves UDOT utility agreements; staff say major I‑15 work likely to begin in 2026
Summary
Bountiful approved a statewide utility license agreement and a Bountiful master agreement with UDOT tied to the I‑15 reconstruction. Staff said UDOT will design required utility work and, under statutory criteria, pay relocation costs; construction is expected to start in 2026.
Bountiful City Council on Aug. 12 approved two agreements with the Utah Department of Transportation to set responsibilities for city-owned utilities during the planned I‑15 reconstruction project. The council voted to adopt a statewide utility license agreement and a Bountiful-specific master agreement that covers culinary water, storm drain, fiber and related utilities in the project area.
Public Works Director Lloyd Cheney said the agreements put the city under UDOT’s umbrella for the project and give UDOT responsibility to design any needed modifications to city utilities. Staff emphasized that, by state law, UDOT is responsible for 100% of relocation costs when utilities meet one of three statutory criteria: the utility is owned by a political subdivision, the utility is an exempt water supplier, or the utility lies within the public utility easement. Cheney told the council the city meets those conditions for many of its systems.
Council members asked whether signing the master agreement could cede authority or complicate future city projects. Cheney and other staff said most of the freeway reconstruction impacts are outside Bountiful’s utilities footprint and that city review and inspection points are built into the agreement. Cheney said he does not expect large staff burdens to review UDOT plans because impacts inside city limits appear limited.
Cheney said UDOT is finalizing the design-build solicitation and expected to select a design-builder in the fourth quarter of 2025, with construction starting in 2026. He cautioned the timeline could shift but said UDOT’s schedule calls for selection this year and construction next year.
Why it matters: The agreements create a negotiated framework that determines cost responsibility and design review when UDOT rebuilds I‑15. Relocation liability and clear review steps matter for both cost and schedule if utility relocations are required.
What to watch for: Staff said the power department will bring a separate agreement related to transmission‑pole impacts along the frontage road; council asked for that document at a future meeting. Cheney also said he expects limited utility impacts but will continue to coordinate with UDOT’s design‑builder as plans develop.
Source: Presentation by Lloyd Cheney and council discussion at Aug. 12 meeting.
