UDOT outlines reversible-lane plan, education campaign for Pioneer Crossing

The Utah Department of Transportation on March 18 told the Saratoga Springs City Council it plans to install reversible lanes and overhead lane-control signals on Pioneer Crossing as an interim measure to relieve heavy peak-period congestion while longer-term freeway projects are pursued.

UDOT project director Andrew Jordan said the change would allow four lanes in the peak direction during commute hours and provide three lanes most of the day, with a permanent center turn lane remaining as a buffer. “This project or this corridor is a really good candidate for reversible lanes just because it’s so directional,” Jordan said, adding the work is intended to be faster and less disruptive than converting the corridor to a full freeway immediately.

City and UDOT officials told council members reversible lanes are part of a broader multi-project program funded through UDOT’s TIF allocations that includes the Mountain View Corridor work and the 2100 North design‑build project. UDOT said the Mountain View Corridor segment currently under construction is on schedule to open in April 2026 and that the 2100 North contract selection is expected in late 2025 with construction beginning in early 2026.

UDOT project manager Matt Parker described operational details: in the morning peak the corridor would provide four eastbound lanes; during off-peak hours the striping would provide three lanes each direction; in the evening peak it would provide four westbound lanes. Parker said overhead lane-control signals, an automated control system and a safety transition period would be used to avoid drivers being in a lane while its direction is switched.

Council members pressed UDOT on safety, enforcement and public education. Councilwoman Barton welcomed an explainer video and asked UDOT to compare traffic and crash data from other reversible-lane installations. Councilman Karn and others cited local crossing and queuing concerns and asked whether sidewalks and turn pockets would be preserved; UDOT responded sidewalks will be maintained, shoulders removed for lane capacity and medians removed where necessary to install concrete pavement and lane-control foundations.

Jordan said the project team expects to lower the posted speed limit from 50 to 45 mph in the corridor and to use higher-contrast, reflective striping and overhead signals to improve driver lane compliance, especially in wet weather. He also said some night work will be required to limit daytime impacts while crews “fill in the median.”

UDOT announced a public open house on April 9 at Snow Springs Elementary in Lehi and said a public comment period and a project website and hotline will be available to collect feedback. Jordan encouraged residents to use the established communications channels and noted the agency plans additional outreach and video materials to prepare drivers for the new traffic pattern.

Council members said they want the city to support outreach and to coordinate educational material distribution to residents. Several council members and UDOT staff also discussed the long-term aspiration of converting Pioneer Crossing to a full freeway with interchanges; UDOT emphasized that a formal environmental review and funding would be required before that could proceed.

UDOT’s presentation provided a short-term operational plan and public‑education timeline; it did not include final construction dates for every segment or a signed funding agreement for the long-term freeway conversion. The city and UDOT agreed to continue coordination and public outreach ahead of the April open house.