UDOT identifies preferred alternative for the Heber Valley Corridor
January 7, 2026
Public encouraged to review findings, attend public meetings and provide input through March 9
Today, the Utah Department of Transportation published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Heber Valley Corridor and identified Alternative B as the preferred alternative for improving transportation through the valley. The study is available on the project website.
The study looks at ways to improve safety, reduce congestion, and provide long-term transportation options while allowing Heber City to meet its vision for the historic town center.
Both alternatives would build a new freeway-style road bypassing downtown Heber City to the west, helping move traffic, including trucks, away from Main Street. Each would feature a multi-use trail and frontage roads to provide local access to businesses and residents. Coming from the north, Alternatives A and B follow US-40 to the existing Potter Lane and College Way intersection. At this point, Alternative B takes the corridor west, beginning a route around downtown Heber. Alternative A continues south to 900 North, where it moves to the west. Once the routes are to the west of Heber City proper, they follow the same route to connect to US-40 and US-189. Either alternative is estimated to cost more than $700 million.
“Alternative B provides the strongest long-term transportation benefit for the community,” said Craig Hancock, UDOT project manager. “The Heber Valley is growing, and this solution will help keep people moving and protect historic Heber City main street into the future. This design would also impact fewer residential and business properties.”
Hancock emphasized the importance of the North Fields. “We know that the North Fields are vital to the essence of the community, and we want to do as much as we can to protect this special area. UDOT will prioritize the North Fields for wetland mitigation, protecting at least two acres for every acre of wetland impacted.” Hancock added, “We are committed to preventing new access in the North Fields. This would be a limited access road and UDOT would not allow access on the corridor except at interchanges shown. The land would be protected in perpetuity, not privately owned or up for development.”
Without improvements, travel time on US-40 from SR-32 to US-189/3000 South is expected to more than double by 2050, with traffic backups stretching more than three miles. The study found Alternative B would cut travel times nearly in half, improve safety, and significantly reduce backups on Main Street.
A public comment period begins Friday and runs through March 9. The community is encouraged to share feedback on the preferred alternative, potential impacts, and proposed mitigation. Comments can be submitted online, via email or mail, by phone, or in person at a public hearing.
“We appreciate how engaged the community has been throughout this process,” Hancock said. “Your comments are vital to help us consider things we may have overlooked so we can find the best transportation solution.”
UDOT will host two public meetings:
- Virtual meeting: Jan. 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting will include a project overview and a question-and-answer session and will be recorded for those unable to attend.
- In-person hearing: Jan. 28 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Wasatch High School library, 930 S 500 E, Heber City. The open-house-style meeting will allow attendees to review materials, speak with the study team and provide formal comments. Attendees may have 3 minutes to make a formal comment publicly. Anyone who wishes to comment publicly can register on the study website.
After reviewing public input UDOT expects to release the Final EIS and Record of Decision by summer 2026.
For more information about the study, how to comment or how to attend the public meetings, visit the Heber Valley Environmental Impact Statement website.