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Wasatch County Council votes 4–3 to support raised-barrier safety improvements on North Highway 40
Summary
After a UDOT presentation citing seven crashes over five to six years (11 serious injuries and one fatality), the council voted 4–3 to support installing a raised center barrier on North Highway 40. Design work could take 6–9 months with construction likely in 2026; funding follows a federal benefit-cost process.
A majority of the Wasatch County Council voted on Dec. 4 to support raised center-barrier safety improvements along North Highway 40, following a technical briefing that tied the project to a sharp reduction in crash exposure. The motion passed 4–3.
The presenter told the council that the barrier would address a narrow subset of collisions and corrected an earlier figure, saying the installation would result in an approximately 80% reduction in the crashes the barrier is designed to prevent. The presenter said "just over the last 5, 6 years, there's been 7 crashes... they resulted in 11 serious injuries and 1 fatality that could be corrected by a raised barrier." (Quote attributed to the meeting presenter.)
Heber City Council had reviewed the project and expressed unanimous support, and county staff said the design work would likely require hiring a consultant with roughly six to nine months for design before contracting construction; the presenter estimated construction in 2026 if the project proceeds. Funding follows UDOT's federal benefit-cost calculations for safety projects: the presenter said projects that meet the ratio are funded regionally and, if not funded for this corridor, the allocation would be reassigned elsewhere in the state.
Council discussion focused on access impacts (notably at Pottery Lane), emergency-services access and whether the barrier should wait for the outcome of the Heber Valley Parkway environmental study or any planned Highway 40 widening. One council member asked about access for the fire district; staff said they have identified a minor alternative route within the subdivision and will continue coordination with the fire district if the council moves forward.
A motion "that the County Council support the safety improvements proposed on North Highway 40" was made, seconded and approved 4–3. The chair recorded the final tally as four votes in favor and three opposed. The council asked staff to pass along local access feedback (Pottery Lane, emergency access) to UDOT and to work with the fire district during final design.
The presentation and council comments made clear that the project's crash and benefit figures were derived from the agency's review; council members expressed support for the safety goal while also asking staff to ensure emergency access and to monitor compatibility with pending regional studies. The project is staged: design work (6–9 months), procurement and then construction if a contractor can be scheduled in the area's work queue.
