Major Travel Delays Expected on US 189 Due to Widening Project
Drivers in Wasatch County should prepare for significant delays on US 189 as UDOT continues its widening project. Full closures and lane shifts are scheduled, especially on December 18, 20, and 21, urging motorists to adjust their travel plans accordingly.
WASATCH COUNTY, Utah — The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has announced upcoming travel disruptions on US 189 in Provo Canyon. Drivers should anticipate significant delays on December 18, 20, and 21, with a full overnight closure scheduled from Saturday night into Sunday morning as crews continue their work on the ongoing US-189 widening project.
This project is focused on expanding the remaining one-lane sections of US 189 running alongside the Deer Creek Reservoir. By widening this critical segment to include additional northbound lanes, the UDOT aims to enhance traffic flow and improve safety along the route. Once the northbound lanes are completed, traffic will be redirected onto the new roadway, facilitating the commencement of work on the southbound lanes, which is projected to begin in the summer of 2026.
On Thursday, December 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m., US 189 will temporarily close between Main Canyon Road in Wallsburg and the intersection with State Route 113 in Charleston for controlled blasting activities. This controlled blasting is necessary to clear a pathway over the hillside for the new northbound lanes. Additional blasting operations are scheduled for January, as the project continues progressing towards its completion.
Starting at 9:30 p.m. on December 20, crews will initiate lane closures in this area. A full closure of US-189 is planned from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. on December 21 to facilitate excavation work. Following this overnight closure, traffic will be redirected to one-way alternating traffic with flaggers present until approximately 9:00 a.m.
Due to the constraints imposed by the overnight closure and the subsequent one-way traffic regulations, UDOT recommends that motorists adjust their travel schedules, if possible, or consider using alternate routes during the evening of December 20 and the morning of December 21 to minimize delays. The UDOT prioritizes safety and efficiency as the project progresses and appreciates the public's patience during this construction period.
