Utah County’s elected officials have approved 15 regional transportation projects for the next four years, prioritizing infrastructure that will serve rapidly growing communities across the valley. The projects were funded through the Mountainland Association of Governors’ Metropolitan Planning Organization Board and the county’s third-quarter sales tax, representing an approach where regional leaders coordinate spending on roads and trails that individual cities cannot afford alone.
The approved list includes two flagship projects in American Fork and near Salem, each exceeding $20 million and $12 million respectively. County Commissioner Skyler Beltran, a board member, noted that funding covered approximately half the projects submitted this year. The board applied a scoring system that weighs congestion relief, safety, connectivity, transportation mode, and environmental impact when choosing which projects advance.
“The goal is always to improve the movement of people and goods throughout the county and ultimately, improve the quality of life for our residents,” Beltran said. “I think this process results in the best possible outcomes given our limited resources.”
Large-Scale Infrastructure Takes Priority
The most expensive undertaking is the Pony Express Extension Phase 2 in American Fork, set to receive over $20 million in county funds when it launches in 2030. The second-largest project is Loafer Mountain Parkway Phase 2 near Salem, with county funding exceeding $12 million in the same year. Both represent second phases of region-connecting road projects that span multiple municipalities.
Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain, two of the county’s fastest-growing areas, secured separate projects valued at approximately $10.5 million each, scheduled for 2029 funding. These address immediate bottlenecks in rapidly developing zones where existing infrastructure cannot keep pace with population growth.
How Projects Get Selected and Funded
The Utah Department of Transportation funds larger projects like Interstate 15 and U.S. 6, while many local roads remain too expensive for cities to manage independently. Some projects target state roads where local impacts warrant funding but UDOT resources are unavailable. Springville’s S.R. 51 widening project, approved for 2030, falls into that category.
The selection process begins with MAG’s Technical Advisory Committee, which reviews all submissions before the board votes. Beltran said the limited funding available forces the board to focus on projects with the greatest overall impact rather than spreading resources thinly across many smaller initiatives.
A Range Of Projects Across Multiple Timeline
Funding schedules span from 2026 through 2030. Smaller feasibility studies receive near-term support, including a Payson Canyon Trail phase 2 study in Elk Ridge approved for 2026 funding and a Utah Lakeshore Trail study set for 2027. Road extensions and intersection improvements cluster in 2027 and 2029, while the largest expansion projects begin in 2030.
Projects range widely in scale and type. Lehi’s 2300 West Phase 2 will receive over $10 million starting in 2027. Smaller efforts include an intersection improvement in Orem and a road extension in Lindon, each valued at roughly $2 million to $4 million. A Jordan River Trail connection in Saratoga Springs and a trail bridge in Lehi add multimodal transportation options beyond vehicle roads.
Each project required local financial participation alongside county funds. American Fork’s Pony Express Extension involved a local match of roughly $1.5 million, while Loafer Mountain Parkway required a local contribution exceeding $900,000. These local shares ensure municipal commitment to projects selected for regional investment.