Steinaker Service Canal | Vernal | Trail

A 1.9-mile paved trail along the Steinaker Service Canal in Vernal, linking US-40 to 500 North for walking and biking.

Project Overview

This project will construct a 1.9-mile paved shared-use trail running from US-40 to 500 North (SR-121) in Vernal, Utah. The route follows portions of the Steinaker Service Canal corridor and 500 North. The trail is a vital active transportation connection that improves access to several key destinations. Connected schools include Central Cove Early Education Center, Uintah High School, Terra Academy, Uintah Basin Technical College, and the USU Uintah Basin Campus. Other connected locations include the Golden Age Senior Center and multiple local churches. The trail is designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities.

- See the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony video on the Project Multimedia Tab -

This trail is being built to enhance community connectivity, increase safe trail access, and support long-term public health and mobility goals. The trail transforms an underutilized canal corridor into a scenic, functional pathway for walking, biking, and other non-motorized uses. As the first trail of its kind in this part of Vernal, it serves as a key link in the Vernal and Uintah County Trails Master Plan. This trail is supporting a more connected regional trail system and will help prioritize future trail extensions to the north.

The Steinaker Service Canal Trail is being developed by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) in partnership with Vernal City, Uintah County, and other local stakeholders. The project reflects goals outlined in regional planning efforts and is supported by the Utah Trail Network (UTN). This program is a statewide initiative to expand and improve trail systems across Utah.

Map of the Proposed Steinaker Service Canal Trail

Map of Project Site

Contact Information

To contact the public information team with questions or concerns:

Stay Informed

To receive email updates, please fill out the form at the very end of the Overview tab or email the public information team at steinakertrail@utah.gov and type "Updates" in the subject line.

Active Construction

Hours: Mostly Daytime work

Workdays: Monday - Friday; Saturdays as necessary

No work on Sundays or holidays

Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and material availability.

live

Project Start: July 20, 2026

Paving | September 2026
- Asphalt paving of the 10–12 foot multi-use path is underway along the corridor from US-40 to 500 North

planned

Planned Project Milestones

Pedestrian Bridge | Winter 2027
- A pedestrian bridge crossing is planned for installation in winter or spring of 2027, connecting key segments of the trail alignment.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | Spring 2027
- Once construction is complete, a ribbon cutting ceremony will celebrate the trail's official opening to the public.

complete

Previous Project Milestones

Clearing and Grubbing | July - September 2026
- Crews are clearing vegetation and preparing the canal corridor to make way for trail construction along the alignment
Groundbreaking Ceremony | July 2026
- Held July 20, 2026, the ceremony celebrated the trail's transition from design into construction with remarks from project partners and a ceremonial groundbreaking.
Bidding | Spring 2026
- Following design completion qualified contractors submitted proposals to construct the trail. Bids were received and evaluated, a construction contract was awarded to Geneva Rock Construction.
Design | Summer 2025 - Spring 2026
- Final trail alignment, engineering plans, and construction documents for the 1.9-mile paved path were completed, incorporating public input gathered through the design process.
Public Open Houses | April & August 2025
- Two community open houses were held to share concept plans, gather feedback, and collect input on trail features and naming to shape the final design before construction.