NEW MCELMO CREEK BRIDGE OPEN TO TRAFFIC!
Since the first week of August, motorists have been driving across the new McElmo Creek Bridge! While construction continues on the road approaches on both sides for the next two months, the bridge itself is fully operational. This upgraded structure features four 150-foot-long pre-stressed girders, taller protective walls on each side, and a solid eight-inch-thick concrete deck spanning a widened 40-foot width. That’s an additional seven feet of travel space from the old bridge —a significant improvement for motorist safety. Underneath you’ll notice large rocks known as “riprap” placed along the banks to reduce erosion around the concrete support abutments. Due to this exceptionally dry season, the Fish and Wildlife Service recently approved realigning the creek bed directly under the bridge’s centerline, enhancing water flow. The bridge foundation is designed to withstand floods that periodically occur in the creek and is NOT susceptible to washout. We are certain this bridge will reliably support heavy loads for decades to come. You can also check-in on the live-stream of the bridge here.
New McElmo Bridge Looking East| SR-162 | 08/21/25
ROUNDABOUT CONCRETE FRAMEWORK IN-PLACE!
The massive Montezuma Creek roundabout is currently outlined by a ring of concrete curbing. It is expected to be completed by late September, with fresh pavement filling in the circular travel lane. The top-down view shown below reveals ample space for even large trucks to navigate in all directions—whether approaching from SR-162, SR-262, or heading south toward the post office. By mid-September, a new sidewalk will be installed around the perimeter of the roundabout, providing safe pedestrian access and future connectivity to both the elementary and high schools. Keep an eye out for a dual-purpose crosswalk serving the clinic and elementary school, as well as new signage and road surface striping to help guide drivers through the roundabout. If you're still unsure about the safety benefits of roundabouts, we encourage you to watch the UDOT video. You can also take a live-look at the roundabout here.
Roundabout Perimeter Looking East | SR-162/262 | 08/21/25
PROJECT-WIDE PAVING EFFORTS ARE FULL-STEAM AHEAD!
SR-162: Paving has been completed between Aneth and the Colorado Border, while the Bluff to Montezuma Creek leg is still undergoing some shoulder widening before travel lane paving resumes. In Montezuma Creek, paving is about to get underway in front of the schools and within the roundabout. Meanwhile, plan on the full pavement reconstruct region which extends clear to the east side of Aneth to continue for the next several months. The goal is to complete the bulk of the paving work in 2025!
SR-262: This stretch of road surface is about 90% complete, with only a few miles remaining on the south side nearing Montezuma Creek.
Shoulder Grading (2 mi. East of Bluff); Preperation for Paving| SR-162 | 08/21/25
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