Midvalley Highway Project Update – July 2020

Crews have made major progress on the new Midvalley Highway, which will keep Tooele County moving. Two major elements of the project have reached significant milestones with work set to begin this month on a third critical project component. 

• Bridge Work and Settlement – The project includes two bridges, one mid-project and one that connects the Midvalley Highway to I-80 on the north end. Crews have hauled 1.5 million tons of fill material to build up the roadway and area around both bridges. Now, the waiting game begins while the ground beneath the bridges settles. To accelerate settlement, crews have placed extra material on the bridge slopes – known as surcharge – but the settlement process is expected to last until Summer 2021. Once special instruments indicate that the ground is stable, the extra material will be removed and the bridges can be built on solid ground. While you may not see a lot of activity during the settlement period, please know gravity is working to ensure a solid foundation for the bridges for decades to come. 
• SR-138 Tie-in – The newest major element of project work is tying what will become the new Midvalley Highway into SR-138 on the south end. With major bridge and road work farther north on the project on hold until next year following settlement, crews must use this season to tie the roads together at the south end to keep the project on schedule. Details on this work are below. 

July 21 UPDATE – Midvalley/SR-138 Paving and New Traffic Configuration

• A new traffic pattern is now in place for east and westbound motorists, using SR-138, the south end of Midvalley Highway and the new Parachute Lane (see illustration below). To ensure your safety and the safety of others, please reduce your speed and obey all traffic signs in the area.
  • This configuration will remain in place through the end of the project, estimated Fall 2021.
  • With major bridge and roadway work scheduled for next season following the settlement period this fall/winter and next spring, doing this major tie-in work this construction season allows the project to stay on schedule.
• Traffic remains reduced to one way through the area of SR-138 and Sheep Lane while crews continue paving operations. 
  • Temporary signals are operating just east and west of Sheep Lane on SR-138, with traffic in a one-way configuration 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. One way traffic is expected to continue through mid-August. Flaggers may also be used to direct traffic as needed.  
• Crews have now shifted paving to the south side of SR-138, which requires the full closure of Sheep Lane at SR-138. This closure will remain in place until mid-August when crews expect to complete paving in this area. 
• Motorists can expect some delays during the one-way paving operations and are encouraged to consider alternate routes. See map below.