UDOT to Hold Public Hearing for US-191 Realignment North of Vernal
January 9, 2023
The draft study and design to remove switchbacks near Simplot Mine and build a new road to enhance safety, mobility and access will be presented from 4-7 p.m. on Jan. 17.
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) invites the public to attend a public hearing to share information about a project to realign US-191 near Simplot Phosphates Mine about 12 miles north of Vernal.
The hearing will be held:
Date: January 17, 2022
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Location: Vernal City Hall – Community Room, 374 E. Main St., Vernal, UT 84078
The meeting will be in an open house format. Maps and project information will be provided for the public to review and provide comments with team members on hand to answer any questions.
“Over the years we’ve seen several rollover crashes involving trucks along this stretch of road,” said Larry Montoya, UDOT Project Manager. “The proposed project would eliminate the switchbacks and replace them with longer, more gradual curves that are easier to navigate and safer for all drivers.”
The project will enhance safety for all motorists using US-191 by including an emergency runaway truck ramp, climbing and passing lanes between mileposts 364 and 367. It will also adjust grades at key locations and add turning lanes to access the scenic overlook.
The project began in 2021 and is currently in the environmental study and preliminary design phase. UDOT is completing the environmental analysis (NEPA Documented Categorical Exclusion or DCE) which is expected to be finalized by spring 2023. Construction is anticipated to get underway in 2025.
For those unable to attend the meeting, UDOT will place all the hearing materials to the project website: udotinput.utah.gov/us191realigned, and will provide a 30-day comment period (Jan. 17- Feb. 16) to allow stakeholders to review and comment on the information. The project team will review and consider comments before making a final decision on the project. Responses to comments will be included in the final DCE. All comments will be accepted through Feb. 16.
To learn more about the project, or to leave a public comment:
Website: udotinput.utah.gov/us191realigned
Email: us191realigned@utah.gov
Phone: (435) 220-2008