A status update of activities on the EIS and what to expect in coming months.

We published the Addendum to the Final Alternatives Development and Screening Report on March 27, 2025 This report identifies the alternatives that will move forward for detailed evaluation in the Draft EIS.

To view the Addendum to the Final Alternatives Development and Screening Report, click here.

>Why was an addendum necessary?

In 2023, we had a Draft EIS almost ready to publish when the updated Wasatch/Summit travel demand model was made available. The travel demand model predicts the number of trips based on expected population and employment growth. The updated model showed 30% more traffic on North US-40 and 10% more traffic on Main Street. With this increase in projected traffic, the five alternatives that passed through screening in 2023 were no longer able to meet the project purpose without additional capacity improvements.

>What alternatives were considered during the reevaluation?

The predicted 2050 traffic volumes on North US-40 are comparable to Bangerter Highway or University Parkway volumes today. As a result, we created free-flow versions of each of the at-grade alternatives considered in 2023 (WB1, WB2, WB3, WB4). The free-flow concepts (FF) mean that vehicles would not have to stop at traffic signals because there would be bridges, ramps, or interchanges. We also added capacity improvements to the four at-grade alternatives that were considered in 2023 to accommodate the additional traffic. This resulted in a total of eight alternatives that were evaluated in the screening process.

Preliminary Evaluation

We eliminated the four alternatives that would realign US-189 during preliminary evaluation because there was no obvious benefit from a traffic perspective, and we considered them redundant with their counterparts that do not realign US-189. Additionally, there would be negative impacts from realigning US-189, including a substantial increase in traffic on 1300 South (which abuts a residential community) and increased impacts to the sewer farm.

Level 1 Screening

Four alternatives were taken through Level 1 screening (two at-grade and two free-flow). The two at-grade alternatives were eliminated because they did not meet the project purpose nearly as well as the free-flow alternatives. The two free-flow alternatives were carried forward to Level 2 screening because they provide the fastest regional travel times, are safer, are more likely to attract traffic off Main Street (including trucks), and are likely to serve the community beyond 2050. The at-grade alternatives would likely have to be retrofitted at some point in the future, resulting in additional costs and impacts to the community.

Level 2 Screening

Neither of the two alternatives were eliminated in Level 2 screening because both alternatives considered meet the project purpose, but have different impacts. One affects businesses and homes more, the other affects wetlands and agriculture more.

>What alternatives are moving forward?

Both the WB1 and WB3 FF alternatives passed through the Level 2 screening and will be considered in more detail in the Draft EIS. The No-Action Alternative will also be evaluated in the Draft EIS.

For more information on the screening criteria, alternatives development process, and Draft EIS development, click here.

>Alternatives Snapshot

WB1 FF Alternative “Alternative A (on US-40)”

• The WB1 FF alternative will be named “Alternative A (on US-40)” in the Draft EIS.
• Alternative A includes the following:
  • Freeway type facility, or free-flow (no stopping required) between SR-32 and US-189 or US-40 south of downtown Heber City.
  • Interchanges on North US-40 at SR-32, Potter Lane/College Way, and Coyote Canyon Parkway, with directional ramps connecting to the western corridor at 900 North.
  • Partial frontage roads on north US-40 (between SR-32 and 900 North) to consolidate and provide access to US-40 at the interchanges.
  • Free-flow western corridor between 900 North and US-189, with interchanges at SR–113 (Midway Lane) and 1300 South.
  • East-west connection at 1300 South including separate movements for through lanes (traveling to south US-40) and one-way frontage roads to provide local access.

For more information on Alternative A, click here.

WB3 FF Alternative, “Alternative B (off US-40)”

• The WB3 FF alternative will be named “Alternative B (off US-40)” in the Draft EIS.
• Alternative B is the same as Alternative A except between Potter Lane/College way and 900 North.
• Alternative B includes
  • A new roadway through the north fields between Potter Lane/College Way and 900 North, compared to Alternative A, which uses the existing US-40 corridor.
  • Signalized intersections on North US-40 at Potter Lane/College Way, Commons Boulevard, Coyote Canyon Parkway, and 900 North.

For more information on Alternative B, click here.

>What’s next?

The alternatives that passed the screening process (Alternative A and Alternative B) are being further developed through preliminary engineering to support detailed analysis in the Draft EIS.

The preliminary engineering phase includes additional design work to provide details such as vertical alignments, right-of-way needs, intersection design, pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, access design, and potential drainage designs including stormwater management. Access design will determine how we restore access to properties.