Utah: SR-162 & SR-262 Safety & Energy Corridor Project

Safer, Smoother Roads for Utah’s Energy Corridor   

Challenge: State Roads (SR) 162 and 262 in the southeastern corner of Utah make up a 54-mile corridor that serves tourists, the petroleum extraction industry, and most importantly the people of the Navajo Nation who call this area home. Built in the late 1950’s, this road needs some service of its own. Aging pavement, outdated safety features and alignment issues make it a bumpy and sometimes dangerous drive. 

Solution: With help from the bipartisan infrastructure investment law, the Utah Department of Transportation and the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation are reconstructing the “Energy Corridor.” The plan calls for laying 54 miles of pavement to cover the lengths of both SR-162 and SR-262, including a more in-depth reconstruction of a nine-mile section between Montezuma Creek and Aneth. Crews will also replace the McElmo bridge, add rumble strips, widen the shoulders, and replace guardrail, among other improvements. This project will make travel safer, smoother, and more convenient for the residents, visitors and workers serving the petroleum extraction industry. 

What they’re saying: “I’m proud of the partnership that the Navajo Nation has built with the Utah DOT to provide adequate road improvements that will benefit community members, first responders, school buses, and many others of Montezuma Creek and Aneth in Utah. OPVP thanks the Navajo DOT for working hard to provide road improvements projects.” – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (Facebook post, 06/20/2020)