Tue December 29, 2020 - West Edition #1
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) A group of rural counties in Utah has suspended a highway construction project that would run through the Book Cliffs in Grand County.
The group called the
Seven County Infrastructure Coalition unanimously voted to halt the project because of opposition from residents who live in the county where the highway would be built, KUER-FM reported.
The 35-mi. (56-km) road was first proposed in the 1980s to move oil out of the Uinta Basin, county officials said. It was estimated to cost about $350 million back in 2015.
The current proposal would run through East Canyon and would connect tourist destinations in eastern Utah, including Dinosaur National Monument and Arches National Park.
Highway project through Book Cliffs in eastern Utah suspended
(Rick Egan | Tribune file photo) The Book Cliffs near State Road 45, south of Vernal.
By The Associated Press | Updated: Dec. 23, 2020, 12:53 a.m.
A group of rural counties in Utah has suspended a highway construction project that would run through the Book Cliffs in Grand County.
The group called the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition unanimously voted Friday to halt the project because of opposition from residents who live in the county where the highway would be built, KUER-FM reported.
The 35-mile road was first proposed in the 1980s to move oil out of the Uinta Basin, county officials said. It was estimated to cost about $350 million in 2015.
Highway project through Book Cliffs in Utah suspended
by The Associated Press
Last Updated Dec 21, 2020 at 4:58 pm EDT
SALT LAKE CITY A group of rural counties in Utah has suspended a highway construction project that would run through the Book Cliffs in Grand County.
The group called the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition unanimously voted Friday to halt the project because of opposition from residents who live in the county where the highway would be built, KUER-FM reported.
The 35-mile (56-kilometre) road was first proposed in the 1980s to move oil out of the Uinta Basin, county officials said. It was estimated to cost about $350 million in 2015.
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Flickr
The proposed Eastern Utah Regional Connection highway would connect Vernal and Moab through the Book Cliffs. Highway-191 (pictured) currently connects the two towns.
A controversial highway through the Book Cliffs in Grand County won t go forward at this time.
A group of rural counties called the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition voted unanimously to suspend the project in a meeting Friday, citing opposition from Grand County, where the highway would be located.
The 35-mile road, which was first proposed in the 1980s, was estimated to cost around $350 million dollars in 2015. Originally, it was meant to move oil out of the Uinta Basin, but now project proponents say it’s meant to connect tourist destinations in eastern Utah, like Dinosaur National Monument and Arches National Park.