| This photo taken in 2001 shows Highway 6 between Price and Wellington looked just a few years ago. Now this section is a four lane highway. |
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in cooperation with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) released a Record of Decision (ROD) for proposed improvements to U.S. Highway 6 from Interstate 15 in Spanish Fork to Interstate 70 near Green River.
The Record of Decision marks the end of a four-year-long environmental impact statement (EIS) that examined potential impacts to the environments, both natural and built, surrounding U.S. 6.
In the ROD, the “Four Lane Alternative” was identified as the best way to meet the need for a safe and efficient transportation system. The Four Lane Alternative consists of two travel lanes in each direction for a total of four travel lanes through most of the 127-mile length of the corridor. Certain areas near wetlands would maintain a passing-lane configuration (two or three lanes) to minimize wetland impacts.
“We are pleased to reach the conclusion of this important study and look forward to working with the Transportation Commission and legislators on identifying resources to continue to improve this corridor,” UDOT Project Manager Mike Miles said.
UDOT has spent about $110 million since 1996 on improvements to U.S. 6 in the study area and another $50 million will be spent on several key projects over the next three years.
Some of those projects include many in the local area.
•Reconstruction of a bridge at milepost 200 near Skyview.
•Additional passing lanes between and Scofield Junction to Pine Tree Park (about milepost 215-220).
•Widen the road and straighten a curve near the Tucker Rest Area.
•Construction of an Interchange in Helper.
More information about the EIS and projects on the corridor can be found at www.udot.utah.gov/us6.
In addition to the Web site, the ROD will be available at the following locations for review.
•College of Eastern Utah Library, 451 East 400 North in Price.
•Price City Public Library, 159 E. Main Street, Price.
•Helper City Library, 19 S. Main Street, Helper.
•Green River City Library, 85 S. Long Street, Green River.