County staff present $862,000 estimate to pave 8000 North to improve access to Wasatch Wing and Clay

County staff on the Utah County Commission work session presented a cost estimate to pave 8000 North, the unpaved road that provides access to the Wasatch Wing and Clay shooting facilities in northern Cedar Valley. Richard Nelson told commissioners the project would create a 30‑foot asphalt section with two 12‑foot travel lanes and 3‑foot paved shoulders within a 56‑foot right‑of‑way; the estimate lists the county portion at about $613,000 and the packet lists the total project near $862,000.

The proposal stems from recurring access problems during wet weather and the needs of large events at the shooting site. Stakeholders told the commission that improved access would support regional and national competitions and year‑round events. Jim Smith, a landowner and stakeholder, said organizers estimated “about 20,000 cars down that road last year.” Brian Beard, president of Utah Youth Education and Shooting Sports, said last year’s regional drew just over 130 youth participants and that bringing events to Utah could “probably close to 300 or more kids,” with families, vendors and RV traffic accompanying them.

Staff highlighted site constraints. Nelson said the first roughly half mile of the road lies inside Eagle Mountain city limits while the remaining portion is in the county. He flagged a deteriorated culvert at Tickville Wash requiring enlargement if the road is widened. County staff noted the estimate assumes some right‑of‑way would be donated by landowners and that easement acquisition will be a key next step.

On easement options, county staff member Dave said voluntary deed or easement donations from property owners would be preferable; if owners do not agree, the county could negotiate or ‘‘potentially…condemn it,’’ he said, if the commission chose that route. Landowner Jim Smith told commissioners he controls roughly a mile of the road on one side and said he would be willing to donate an easement, and he expected neighboring landowners to be reasonable but emphasized that formal agreements and documentation would be needed.

Commissioners discussed how the road’s usage compares with other county roads. Nelson said the 20,000 annual trips average about 55 cars per day but noted that on event days the site could see several hundred vehicles, putting it on par with some collector roads in the county. Commissioners and stakeholders agreed to arrange site visits; mayors from adjacent cities offered to coordinate and discussed the possibility of an interlocal agreement for Eagle Mountain’s portion of the improvements.

No formal vote was taken on the paving estimate during the work session; staff said the next steps include further coordination on easements, potential interlocal agreements with Eagle Mountain, and additional review by public works and legal staff. Commissioners invited staff and stakeholders to arrange field visits so the commission can assess the project further.