A new interchange is in the works for the Hunter Plant just south of Castle Dale. The plant sees on average 450 loads of coal brought into the facility each day and the new interchange will help ease traffic flow issues.
Traffic currently entering the plant from the north must make a left hand turn across traffic lanes to enter county road 426. When the interchange is completed, traffic from the north will enter a deceleration lane and travel over the overpass on the coal haul road. Travelers from the south will enter a deceleration lane which will bring them onto the coal haul road. When leaving the plant, traffic will enter merge lanes with the traffic going their way.
The new interchange will keep trucks from making left hand turns which will increase safety. Traffic traveling from Ferron to Orangeville will use the lane and go over the overpass and continue to Orangeville. Traffic from Orangeville to Castle Dale will go across the overpass and then make a left hand turn onto the lane which merges with northbound SR-10.
There will still be some traffic using the county road when the project is completed to reach farms in the area. Access to the county road from Orangeville will be across SR-10 in order to keep slow moving farm equipment out of the high speed travel lanes. A left-hand turn lane is provided to facilitate county traffic coming from Castle Dale.
Hunter Plant manager, Mark Mansfield said they appreciate the support the county has given in the development of the design.
Bryant Anderson, county planning and zoning director said that PacifiCorp brought the design before the planning and zoning commission and they are very favorable. The county commissioners, Drew Sitterud and Gary Kofford voted to approve the plan.
Mansfield said they are anxious to begin on the project and would like to do so by June 1 so it would be completed by fall. Things are dependent on state approval of the project as far as a starting date.
Jeff Hymas from PacifiCorp said they have worked cooperatively with the county and state on the project in keeping county officials updated on plans. He said they have tried to develop a plan that works for everyone. “We believe this is a win/win situation for everyone to allow better access and it will be a great benefit for county residents. Utah Power is investing more than $1 million to cover the entire cost of construction of the project. We realize that Utah Power has an impact on the community and we want to facilitate improved access for the coal truck traffic,” said Hymas.
The engineer for the project is Johansen and Tuttle. Bids for the project have not been advertised at this time.
New interchange for Hunter Plant
