Utah DOT unveils updated long-term plan for rural roads

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) recently unveiled its long-term plan for rural roads over the next 25 years, which includes a forecast of the state’s transportation needs for the future, an endeavor UDOT undertakes every four years.

The department updates Utah’s long-term transportation plan because it seeks to keep a futuristic model of keeping traffic moving.

The new plan concentrates mainly on rural parts of the state. It names several projects in a list, as these projects will be used to improve the state’s economy as well as improve its quality of life.

The long-term, rural plan includes provisions for the strengths of rural Utah as well as its needs. These include the energy industry, tourism, access to recreational opportunities and interstate freight movement, as well as improvements to community connections.

The long-term plans will be used to develop the state’s Unified Transportation Plan. This new plan will be released to the public in the fall of 2015.

Utah’s urban areas have unique transportation needs, as they continue to develop in collaboration with various metropolitan planning organizations, including the Wasatch Front Regional Council and the Dixie Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“UDOT follows a fiscally responsible approach to maximize the value of Utah’s infrastructure investment,” Jeff Harris, UDOT planning director, said. “The department leverages limited resources in a way that will provide the greatest benefit.”