UDOT says utility work starts this fall; major roadway widening slated for next spring on Geneva Road

City and state project representatives told the Orem City Council that utility relocations and embankment work for the Geneva Road widening project south of the Parkway will begin this fall, with visible roadway widening and traffic impacts expected next spring.

"You'll start to see equipment arrive here in the next couple of weeks as we do some utility work," said Andy Spencer, UDOT project manager, during a presentation to the council. He said the project will widen Geneva Road from the south end of the Parkway south toward the temple grounds, provide a five-lane section to a taper point and then return to two lanes by the south end of the temple property.

Project staff said much of the early work is off-site utility relocation and drainage. The contractor anticipates arriving on site in early September and staff plan a community "meet the contractor" event so residents can review plans, ask questions and get contact information. "We manage our hotlines day and night," Beau Hunter, public involvement lead, told the council, adding that the project team will update the website and run a hotline for concerns.

Council members and several residents asked about access to the temple during construction. Spencer said two-way travel will be maintained and drivers will be able to enter the temple during construction, but the dedicated left-turn pocket that currently exists may not be preserved because of space needed to build the new roadway. "We're not gonna be able to maintain that dedicated left turn," Spencer said, adding staff will monitor for problems and try to mitigate them.

Project officials said they will shift traffic onto newly built lanes to repave the full roadway and fix a bump at the temple tie-in. Staff also described plans for advance targeted resident emails, corridor flyers and a contractor meeting to help people plan trips during construction. The team said they do not anticipate heavy night work on the corridor.

No formal action was taken. Staff said they will return to the city with community meeting details and continued schedule updates.