BREAKING: Utah approves two new HNW travel lanes for I-80 and SR 224

Two new High Net Worth (HNW) travel lanes will be added along I-80 through Parleys Canyon and SR 224. Photo: Utah Transportation

"As we continue to build without comprehensive traffic solutions, demand for premium road access will only increase. This model turns our traffic challenges into a self-sustaining revenue stream that can help fund future public-private partnerships.”

PARK CITY, Utah — State transportation officials have announced a sweeping infrastructure initiative aimed at “reducing congestion” on key entry and exit corridors to Park City ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics.

The plan centers on the addition of two new High Net Worth (HNW) travel lanes along I-80 through Parleys Canyon and SR 224. Similar to a theme park’s FastPass system, the lanes offer a premium upgrade designed to let select drivers “skip the line”.

While most commuters navigate traffic and delays, those with HNW access will bypass it all—no waiting, no slowing down, and no sharing the road with the general public. The lanes will feature unrestricted travel and no speed limits, with officials estimating travel times could be reduced by up to 50%.

Access will be granted to drivers with an exclusive HNW badge, available through an annual membership costing $91,750—roughly equal to Utah’s median household income. Construction of the HNW lanes is expected to cost taxpayers $1.2 billion and add over 41 feet in width to the existing roadway footprint.

“This is a really smart financial model,” said Utah Olympic Mobility Initiative (UOMI) Director Brently Goldwagon.

“As we continue to build without comprehensive traffic solutions, demand for premium road access will only increase. This model turns our traffic challenges into a self-sustaining revenue stream that can help fund future public-private partnerships.”

The project is being fast-tracked under UOMI, a state-led development authority created during a late night legislative session to oversee Olympic-related infrastructure development. Goldwagon says the new lanes are the first of several projects that will showcase Utah’s commitment to cutting-edge transportation, climate innovation, and the ability to take care of those who matter most.

Backed by the full power of the state and a special-action eminent domain clause, Goldwagon says, “We’re moving full speed ahead—literally. Private land concerns and public opinion aren’t speed bumps we need to recognize.”

The new traffic lanes will require the removal of several wildlife corridors, but developers assure the public that displaced moose and elk will be given ample time to relocate—or “adapt to a high-speed commuting environment.”

While critics argue the initiative prioritizes the ultra-wealthy at the expense of ecosystems and everyday commuters, officials insist the lanes will provide “trickle-down” relief—by removing several cars a day from general commuting lanes making it easier for the ultra wealthy to bypass the rest of us both on the road and in life.

Upcoming UOMI Projects

Sources confirm that, proceeds from HNW lane tolling will help fund additional elite infrastructure projects already in the final planning stages, including:

• G.O.A.T. Line (Gondola Of Affluent Transport): A private gondola system connecting select billionaires’ compounds directly to ski slopes.
• StrutFee (Main Street Monetization Pilot): A $75/hour fee to walk on Park City’s Main Street—unless you can prove attendance at Davos or equivalent net worth status.
• TechBro Township (Affordable Housing for Investors ): 865 housing units, of which five will be designated “affordable” at a competitive $3,800/month rental rate.

When asked if the initiatives under UOMI are fair or inclusive, Goldwagon responded confidently: “We believe this project sends a clear message: Utah is open for business, closed to local input, and absolutely committed to making the Olympics unforgettable for the people who matter most.”

Construction on the HNW lanes is expected to break ground on April 1st—a date better known as April Fools’ Day.

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