State Route 10 is a cause for much concern among county residents. The high volume of truck traffic using the road north to transport coal to Carbon County and those trucks traveling southbound to Hunter Plant are a constant on the road. Also, the southern end of the county sees a steady stream through Emery and Ferron to the Hunter Plant as well. Energy is the lifeblood of the county so you can’t complain too much. But, the condition of the road is very much on the minds of the officials at the Utah Department of Transportation.
Transportation commissioner Bevan Wilson said, “SR-10 is a state road without any federal designation. If it had a federal designation it would be eligible for different pools of money. But, as it is, we compete for funding statewide and it’s really tough. There just isn’t enough money to go around. Most of the new funding appropriated by the 2006 legislative session is not discretionary funds. The state surplus also looks favorable this year. Education and transportation will also see an injection of new funding.
“Funds go to specific transportation projects; projects must meet certain criteria. Projects are ranked in order of their importance. Projects proceed in this manner unless money is appropriated by the legislature for a specific project.
“As a whole SR-10 has done fairly well funding-wise when you take into consideration the needs of Utah and the tremendous growth up north. Southern Utah is also dealing with tremendous growth. I attended the monthly UDOT meeting in Hurricane recently and the southern region is way behind in dealing with their transportation issues. But, they are trying to deal with it. There’s such tight competition for money statewide. There is a tremendous demand for needs around the state.
Within the STIP process projects are identified and then evaluated through the evaluation process and they are put onto the STIP list. Once on the STIP list they start in concept development. They advance from there to construction years. The STIP process covers a six year period. Two years in concept development and then the project is advanced into construction years. There are four years of construction time and within that construction time frame, we go out and do the archaeological clearance, historical and cultural clearances. All necessary clearances within right of ways are done to advance the project. From there the project moves to design. From design the project moves to construction.
“Projects which have reached the four funding years, don’t necessarily need to wait. If the design is done and funding is available then the project can begin. Also projects can be expedited if safety considerations are involved. This will probably happen with the turning lanes onto the San Rafael near Castle Dale. That project could begin next year and will include turning lanes and acceleration and deceleration lanes to safely transfer traffic off SR-10 and onto the desert road.
“The Muddy Creek to Ferron project will begin in 2007. You also have to remember the fiscal year for UDOT begins on July 1. So in July of 2007 we are into funding year 2008. We do appreciate the patience of the people in our county as we work through this difficult time. Help is coming,” said Wilson.
SR-10 Project Status Report 2005 to 2010
2005
SR-10 from U.S. 6 to Stake Farm Road
Scope: Corridor Study
Budget: $700,000
Status: Complete – next step will be an environmental study
2006
SR-10 RP 34.2 to RP 37.6 South of Castle Dale
Location: SR-10 MP 34.2 to 37.6
Scope: Asphalt Overlay
Budget: $2,000,000
Status: Under Construction
2008
SR-10; Muddy Creek to Ferron
Location: SR-10, MP 16 to 28
Scope: Asphalt overlay and slope flattening
Budget: $11,000,000
Status: In design – Construct 2007
SR-10; Emery to Muddy Creek
Location: SR-10, MP 13 to 16
Scope: Reconstruct
Budget: $550,000
Status: Beginning Environmental Process
Concept Development
SR-10, Horseshoe Dugway to Carbon County Line
Beginning concept report to determine needs
SR-10, MP 30.8 to 34
Beginning concept report to determine needs
Maintenance Projects 2006-2007
MP 1-2 lane leveling
MP 30 Right hand turn lane into Clawson
MP 31-32 Extend pipes and start dirt work for widening
MP 34-37 Hunter to Castle Dale Cold in place recycle, Overlay and seal with SMA
MP 39 if funded, start dirt work for turn lane into San Rafael
MP 53-67 Shave off shoving and lane level worst ruts.
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