ROUNDABOUT OPENING SOON BUT WITH SAFETY FIRST
The crews working on the roundabout in Montezuma Creek are in their final throes of preparation before opening to the public! In recent months, crews have worked long hours to complete paving and permanent lane striping. Active work continues with the installation of the pedestrian sidewalk around the perimeter of the roundabout. To ensure safety before the official grand opening, roadside signs and road surface directional markings must be in place. This will be quickly followed by powering up and illuminating the area with the new LED downlights! If all goes according to schedule, we estimate traffic moving through the roundabout as early as January 2026. This will be the long-awaited milestone that allows our traffic management teams to eliminate the temporary bypass road that has been in service since early this year. It goes without saying that this structure will be a prominent landmark for the Montezuma Creek community! Stay tuned to our project website for additional details.
ROUNDABOUT DRIVING TIPS NOW ONLINE!
For many of you, we acknowledge that roundabouts may be a new travel experience. We have provided a tutorial section on the project website devoted to demonstrating the safety enhancements and proper use instructions when traveling through roundabouts. While there, don't forget to check out the drive-through preview video!
Roundabout Looking East | SR-162/262 | 10/28/25
Thermoplastic Crosswalk Lines | Roundabout at SR-162/262 | 10/28/25
OTHER PROGRESS AND SOME IMPRESSIVE MILESTONES!
SR-162:
Aneth to Montezuma Creek: Crews continue the full reconstruction of the road along this stretch, one section at a time. It has certainly had the greatest impact on large transportation vehicles and requires a safety protocol that restricts all wide-load big rigs, as well as a minimum ground-clearance requirement for trailers. Reconstruction efforts along this stretch are approximately 60% complete and are anticipated to continue through the winter or until weather prevents further progress.
Top-to-Bottom Road Surface Reconstruction| SR-162; Montezuma Creek to Aneth | 10/28/25
Montezuma Creek to Bluff: The bulk of the main paving along this stretch is complete, with the asphalt shoulder widening efforts recently completed. Plan on a final layer of paving along the stretch that will cap this work as early as next month. What remains are a few guardrail upgrades and off-road signage. Much of the work in 2026 will require minimal traffic control impacts.
McElmo Bridge: While the approaches to the new bridge are still under construction, the bridge is structurally complete. A fresh polymer seal coating was recently applied to the bridge deck to reduce long-term corrosion and ensure a smooth ride for decades to come.
McElmo Bridge Aerial Photo Looking North | SR-162; Aneth | 10/28/25
SR-262:
All paving activity is completed! Short distance flagging at prescribed locations will be required on this stretch to update guardrail and road signage. That work will continue into the Spring of 2026.
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