The new road will be constructed in phases and is a freeway connecting to SR-138 near Sheep Lane in Erda and into I-80, mile post 94.4, approximately three miles west of the current interchange at Lakepoint.
OVERVIEW
To keep Utah moving, UDOT is working with Tooele County to design and construct a new connection to Interstate 80 (I-80) in the middle of the Tooele Valley. This new corridor, known as the Midvalley Highway (S.R. 179), will provide a direct connection from State Route 138 (S.R. 138) to I-80.
Phase 1 will include a single lane in each direction built to provide a long-term transportation solution that can scale as future capacity needs and funding are identified.
Construction began in the fall of 2019 and is expected to last two years.
The Midvalley Highway project will use $74.4 million dollars in state funds that cover costs associated with environmental evaluation, design and construction.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The Midvalley Highway is intended to provide Tooele residents with better access to I-80 and alleviate congestion at the S.R. 36 interchange and along S.R. 36. Constructing the Midvalley Highway is part of UDOT’s long-term transportation planning initiative in Tooele County to improve traffic conditions for a growing population. The current phase of the Midvalley Highway will be 4.5 miles in length and will include the following features:
New Interchange at I-80
New two-lane freeway
New intersection at Sheep Lane
Project Update
/0 Comments/in Construction Updates /by pennapowersMidvalley Highway Construction Project Update – June 2021
Freeway Closure Notice: I-80 drivers should plan for overnight closures of the freeway the week of June 21st. Crews will be setting girders (bridge supports) for the Midvalley Highway bridge over I-80 as they construct a new interchange. Westbound I-80 will close completely at the exit 99 interchange Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. Eastbound lanes will close nightly Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. at exit 84 Drivers will be directed onto S.R. 138 and S.R. 36 as detours.
Midvalley Highway – Future Phases
This year, UDOT will also begin a re-evaluation process for Phases 2 and 3 of the Midvalley Highway project. Since some time has passed since final environmental approval of the whole project, the team will be re-evaluating the final preferred environmental alignment to see if potential updates could make a future alignment more responsive to land use and development changes while also reducing environmental impacts. We will share additional information about that effort as it moves forward.
Feel free to reach us at the contact information below with any questions or concerns. You can also follow us on Facebook for project updates and information regarding all Tooele Valley UDOT projects.
Midvalley Hotline: 435-557-0409
Midvalley Project email: midvalley@utah.gov
UDOT Tooele Valley Projects Facebook
Other UDOT Tooele County Construction Projects
State Route 112 and 138 Renewed
UDOT is scheduled to begin two pavement renewal projects in the Tooele Valley this spring and summer.
The first project is located on S.R. 138 between Grantsville and S.R. 36. The second project is located on S.R. 112 between S.R. 138 and S.R. 36. Project work on S.R. 138 is expected to begin in early May and will include roadway resurfacing, asphalt repair and rumble strip removal between Grantsville Main Street and Mills Junction. Project work on S.R. 112 is expected to begin in early July and will include roadway resurfacing between S.R. 138 and S.R. 36. Work is expected to last through the summer.
Travelers, area residents and businesses can expect construction-related noise, dust and minor travel delays. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes during construction.
Planned Future Tooele Valley Projects
During the 2021 Legislative Session, funding was allocated to a number of transportation projects statewide. Tooele Valley projects funded with this allocation and planned for design and construction over the next 5-10 years include: