Mid Valley Road projects key to easing traffic congestion
Traffic congestion remains one of the top concerns for Eagle Mountain residents, and the City is actively working to address the issue through new infrastructure projects.
One of the most significant efforts is the extension of Mid Valley Road, a two-part project designed to provide an additional east-west route and relieve pressure on Pony Express Parkway and State Route 73.
The first portion of the project, the westbound extension of Mid Valley Road, is set to begin construction this summer. This project will connect Mid Valley Road to Eagle Mountain Boulevard. The design is nearing completion and will soon be presented to the City Council for final approval.
“This project is a crucial step in alleviating traffic congestion,” said David Salazar, Assistant City Engineer for Eagle Mountain. “We hear the concerns and frustrations of our residents and are looking for options to provide transportation solutions that are both safe and cost-effective.”
The westbound extension will be built as a two-lane road with plans for future lane expansion. A traffic signal will be installed at the intersection with Eagle Mountain Blvd. to improve traffic flow. The total cost of the project is estimated at $5.5 million, with completion expected in the summer of 2025.
A more ambitious component of the Mid Valley Road project is the eastbound extension, which would create another direct connection from Eagle Mountain to Saratoga Springs. This extension would cross Pony Express Parkway, pass through Hidden Valley, extend through the mountains and ultimately tie into the new Mountain View Corridor.
The goal of this extension is to provide an alternate route for commuters, reducing reliance on Pony Express Parkway and SR-73. Once completed, the new corridor could reduce travel time to Saratoga Springs to as little as 6-8 minutes.
However, significant challenges remain, particularly in determining the best path through the mountains while balancing cost and safety.
“Currently, we’re trying to decide the best way to get through the mountains and which slopes will be most cost-effective while maintaining safety standards,” Salazar explained. “The feasibility study is underway, and environmental impacts are also being considered.”
The estimated cost of the eastbound extension varies widely, ranging from $60 million to as much as $100 million, depending on the final design and construction approach. A major factor influencing the cost is the need to create shallower grades, which, while safer, require additional funding. The project’s timeline remains uncertain and could take anywhere from five to 15 years to complete, depending on available funding.
Dollars remain the biggest hurdle to completing the Mid Valley eastbound extension. The City is exploring multiple avenues, including funding and cost-sharing opportunities with the Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and Saratoga Springs.
“We’re trying to construct this roadway with as much external funding as possible to minimize the financial impacts to our residents,” Salazar said.
The feasibility study, conducted by Avenue Consultants, will help determine the safest, fastest and most cost-effective route through the mountains. Once that study is complete, City officials will have a clearer understanding of the project’s scope, costs, and potential funding sources.
“At the end of the day, it’s not a matter of if this project will happen, but when and how we can get it built,” Salazar added.
