UDOT: South Cedar Interchange at 60% design; construction set for 2027–28

UDOT project manager Devin Squire told the Cedar City Council that the South Cedar Interchange is at 60% design and on track for construction in 2027 with completion expected in 2028. The project, Squire said, will add capacity and reduce crash risk by preventing traffic queues from backing onto I‑15.

"We're right now at 60 design," Squire said, and a formal design review is scheduled for March; he said final design work is expected to finish by the end of 2026 so the project can move into construction in 2027. Council members were invited to attend the March review in Cedar City.

Squire described significant right‑of‑way work: the team has identified two full acquisitions (the city will purchase entire properties) and a number of partial takes that will redraw property entrances or take narrow slivers of land. He said staff have begun outreach to impacted property owners and will release right‑of‑way packages as design advances.

The design includes a large pedestrian underpass under I‑15, dual left‑turn lanes at signalized intersections, and expanded through lanes. Squire said the interchange layout will include three through lanes with additional left‑turn lanes to provide storage and reduce queuing. He also said the project will preserve and increase flood‑mitigation capacity by maintaining and slightly expanding an existing box culvert.

Council members pressed UDOT on construction phasing and access to local businesses. Squire said the agency's goal is to maintain traffic flow through construction when feasible and to limit full closures to short, overnight periods when structural elements such as bridge spans need removal or replacement. He confirmed the new bridge is being built wide enough to accommodate a future third lane in both directions although the full freeway expansion will be phased.

Squire identified several businesses and site impacts in the project footprint, saying some properties will be removed as part of the interchange reconfiguration. He said UDOT is coordinating with local stakeholders, including a planned meeting with the Livestock Association to discuss animal movement and a possible BLM corral site east of the interchange to reduce livestock traffic through the project area.

The council asked for detailed maps and the project team agreed to share the design materials with city staff and post them on the project's website; Squire left contact cards for follow‑up and encouraged council members and residents to reach out with questions.

The next major milestones are the March design review and ongoing right‑of‑way negotiations. Construction was described by UDOT as a 24‑month build period following final design and procurement, with completion aimed for 2028.