UDOT

More frequent, dependable bus service and other improvements proposed for Big Cottonwood Canyon

The Utah Department of Transportation has published its Environmental Assessment (EA) that evaluates ways to reduce winter traffic congestion on State Route (SR) 190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

UDOT proposes enhanced bus service, starting with buses running every 10-15 minutes in the winter, and by 2050 running every 5-7 minutes. The buses would be based out of a mobility hub near the mouth of the canyon featuring a 1,750-space parking structure.

“Anyone who’s tried to get up the canyon on a busy winter morning knows how challenging it can be,” UDOT Project Manager Devin Weder said. “This study looks at solutions that can ease those backups by giving people a convenient, dependable way to ride the bus instead of sitting in traffic.”

UDOT proposes adding a bus-only transitway to allow buses to bypass Wasatch Boulevard. In addition, UDOT would add a bus priority lane at the top of the canyon around Brighton Loop Road from the Brighton Fire Station to Brighton Resort. Engineers estimate these efforts may shave 5 minutes off the bus’s travel time.

New indoor bus stop facilities are also proposed at Solitude Mountain Resort and Brighton Resort, giving riders a warm place to wait with seating, restrooms, and lockers. Existing bus stops located at Cardiff Fork, Spruces Campground, Silver Fork, and the Silver Lake/Solitude Nordic Center would be improved with better safety features, platforms and pedestrian crossings.

UDOT is also evaluating a winter-season tolling system near Solitude Entry 1 with variable pricing. Potential exemptions could include Big Cottonwood Canyon residents and employees.

“The toll is meant to encourage people to ride the bus or carpool,” Weder said. “Big Cottonwood Canyon is one of Utah’s busiest winter destinations. Offering more frequent service, nicer amenities, and reliable travel times helps us make the canyon experience better for everyone.”

UDOT will be hosting a public comment period and two public hearings to gather input from the community: 

• In-person: Dec. 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Canyon View Elementary at 3050 Bengal Blvd in Cottonwood Heights. This will be an open house format where people can review information, ask questions of the team, and give formal statements to a court reporter.
• Virtual: Dec. 18 from 6-8 p.m. on Zoom. There will be a presentation followed by public testimony. Instructions to join and to sign up to speak are on the website. This meeting will be recorded and placed on the website.

The same information will be presented at both hearings and is available on the project website.

The public is encouraged to review the project documents, attend the public hearings, and submit comments. A public comment period is open from Dec. 3, 2025, through Jan. 9, 2026. UDOT is asking for input on the analysis of the potential impacts and mitigation for the proposed transportation improvements, along with potential USDA Forest Service decisions. 

“We received nearly a thousand comments during the scoping period last year,” Weder said. “Those comments helped shape this study. We hope everyone will take a look at the study, join us at the hearing and share their thoughts.” 

For more information, visit the Big Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Assessment site.