Utah Trail Network recieves $95 million boost from UDOT

The Park City section of the Rail Trail. Photo: City Government of Park City, Utah

Connecting communities through paved trails

UTAH — Utah’s trail network is set to receive a $95 million funding expansion and about 60 miles of new paved trails, thanks to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) The funding, approved by the Utah Transportation Commission, will support the development and planning of 19 new trails, including two in Wasatch and Summit County, aiming to connect Utahns to key destinations, transit hubs, parks, and existing trail systems.

“Generations from now, people will look back at this moment and realize how pivotal the Utah Trail Network was in changing the way we travel,” said UDOT executive director Carlos Braceras in a news release. “These projects will connect communities in ways that provide transportation choices for everyone to commute, recreate, and enjoy.”

The approved projects span various counties, focusing on enhancing connectivity and accessibility. Key projects in and around Summit and Wasatch counties include the following:

• Bingham Creek Trail, Salt Lake County: A new 6.3-mile trail connecting the Jordan River Parkway Trail to Bingham Creek Regional Park and the Mountain View Corridor trail. This $14 million project will link multiple TRAX stations, parks, and neighborhoods.
• Heber Valley Railroad Rail Trail, Wasatch County: An $8 million investment for a 1.8-mile paved trail from the Train Depot in Heber City to 1200 South, and from SR-113 to the Deer Creek Trail at Soldier Hollow. The trail will follow alongside the existing Heber Valley Railroad Line.

Five additional trail projects have been funded for feasibility studies to explore potential future expansions:

• Phoston Spur Trail and Rail Trail SR-248 Overcrossing and Paving, Wasatch/Summit counties: A $600,000 feasibility study to evaluate the Rail Trail and the Phoston Spur Trail. This study will examine a separated crossing of SR-248 and paving the Rail Trail from Promontory Ranch Road to SR-248, as well as the alignment and paving of the Phoston Spur Trail.
• Deer Creek Reservoir Trail, Wasatch County: A $300,000 feasibility study for a potential 6.7-mile trail beginning at Soldier Hollow and connecting to the Provo River Parkway Trail.

“We have heard the public asking for more trails and are inspired by the trail planning and development efforts across the state,” said Braceras. “These efforts are bringing people together, and we want to do our part by connecting communities through a state-funded program that will build trails as part of the state’s transportation system.”