Provo Canyon highway project reaches milestone, with work continuing through 2028

WASATCH COUNTY, Utah — Drivers traveling through Provo Canyon on U.S. Highway 189 are now using newly constructed lanes, which will be used in the future as two northbound lanes. The traffic shift marks a major milestone in a project to widen the highway along Deer Creek Reservoir.

The Utah Department of Transportation shifted traffic onto the new lanes Oct. 8, allowing crews to continue work on the highway’s existing lanes, which will be used in the future as two southbound lanes.

The project covers a stretch of US-189 between Wallsburg and Charleston and is intended to improve safety and reduce commuter congestion by adding a second travel lane in each direction. Once complete, the highway will have two lanes in each direction from Provo to Heber City.

Crews have moved about 1 million cubic yards of earth, placed 23,000 tons of asphalt, and installed 12.2 miles of drilled anchors to stabilize steep slopes and reduce the risk of rocks falling onto the road, according to UDOT.

The asphalt has been used to build about 1.8 miles of new roadway.

The project also includes improved sight lines through a curved section of highway, longer acceleration and deceleration lanes, better access and parking at the Island Beach Day Use Area, and wildlife fencing.

Construction on the project began in October 2025 and is expected to continue through 2028.

Work ahead will focus on the southbound lanes and improvements to the intersection of US-189 and state Route 113. UDOT plans to replace the existing intersection with a traffic signal.

Drivers should be alert for changing conditions and follow posted signs through the work zone.