Larry Montoya, UDOT Region 3 project manager, reviewed completed and upcoming transportation projects intended to support increased industry and freight activity in the Uinta Basin.

Montoya described a public–private partnership north of Vernal on US-191 that eliminated dangerous switchbacks by using material provided by Simplot (about 10 million cubic yards). The project used deep dynamic compaction and two construction phases; UDOT reported an approximate $24 million project budget and said the contract closed with a $1.5 million savings.

He also summarized Indian Canyon improvements (passing lanes, widened shoulders, chain-up areas, a new controller-coordinated signal in Duchesne) to improve safety and traffic flow for heavy trucks. Montoya said UDOT added ITS devices, weather stations and fiber to improve monitoring and maintenance response.

Montoya outlined a multi-segment US 40 fiber-optic installation (over 100 miles) intended to deliver broadband to communities along the corridor, provide ITS connectivity and create public Wi-Fi hotspots in towns such as Vernal and on the Northern Ute Reservation. Segment A (Heber to Soldier Creek) is out for bid and remaining sections will be bid in the coming months to meet an accelerated schedule.

Montoya invited attendees to consult UDOT project pages for details and said the agency will add local coordination as work proceeds.