UDOT Completes Safety Upgrades and Begins Major Improvements on US-6 in Spanish Fork Canyon

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has recently finished key road safety upgrades on U.S. Route 6 (US-6) through Spanish Fork Canyon, a stretch long known for dangerous driving conditions.

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Officials also announced the start of two major construction projects as part of ongoing efforts to reduce crashes, improve traffic flow, and enhance overall driver safety.

Over the past several months, UDOT crews worked to strengthen safety features along approximately four miles of US-6, a major corridor connecting central Utah with eastern regions.

Key upgrades include:

• Installation of over 9,000 feet of median barriers to help prevent cross-median crashes.
• New drainage systems near Diamond Fork Road to reduce water, ice, and debris buildup on the highway.
• Placement of crash attenuators — energy-absorbing cushions at median ends designed to lower the risk of serious injury in collisions.  

These improvements were specifically chosen to address known hazards on this mountainous, high-traffic route that sees heavy freight, recreational, and commuter use.

New Construction Projects Now Underway

UDOT has now moved forward with two major construction efforts that will significantly expand safety and capacity on US-6:

1. Sheep Creek Road Widening Project

• Cost: Approximately $53.4 million
• Scope: Widening US-6 from two to four lanes.
• Improvements:
  • A center median barrier for added crash protection.
  • Flattening of sharp curves.
  • Intersection upgrades at Sheep Creek Road.
• Impact: Drivers should expect lane closures and daytime delays, especially for the next year.
• Expected finish: 2027.  

2. US-6/US-89 Intersection Upgrade (Thistle)

• Scope:
  • Longer acceleration and deceleration lanes.
  • A new bridge structure allowing US-89 traffic to pass below US-6.
• Impact: Improved traffic flow and reduced crash risk at one of the corridor’s busiest intersections.
• Expected finish: 2027.  

Nighttime and Weather Visibility Improvements Coming

In the coming weeks, UDOT crews will begin installing 29 new overhead light poles to boost nighttime visibility for drivers navigating through the canyon. This is a key step because lower visibility at night has been linked to many crashes in mountainous terrain.

UDOT’s upgrades come in response to a long history of collisions in Spanish Fork Canyon, where steep grades, sharp curves, and frequent weather changes make driving challenging.

Over the past two decades, the department has directed more than $110 million toward safety improvements along US-6, with additional pavement preservation projects underway between Wellington and I-70. 

Improved median barriers, lighting, better drainage, and wider lanes are all part of a strategy designed to:

• Reduce serious crashes and injuries
• Enhance driver confidence on a major freight and travel corridor
• Improve year-round mobility for commuters and tourists.

While the improvements are welcomed, drivers should plan for short daytime delays and lane closures during ongoing construction. UDOT advises travelers to:

• Allow extra travel time, especially during peak hours
• Obey construction signage and reduced speed limits
• Drive cautiously in changing weather conditions such as rain, fog, or snow

These simple steps can help reduce the risk of crashes on a corridor that is vital to Utah’s transportation network.