For more information on the Big Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Assessment (EA), click here.

Study Overview

Transportation needs in Big Cottonwood Canyon are primarily related to traffic congestion during peak periods (typically 7-9 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.) during the ski season and anticipated future increase in visitation as a result of population and tourism growth in Utah.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is conducting an environmental study to evaluate tolling and enhanced bus service to address winter-time traffic congestion on State Route (SR) 190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon as directed by the Utah State Legislature in Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) (2023).

SB 2 specifies and directs UDOT to use certain legislature-allocated funds to “provide enhanced bus service, tolling, a mobility hub, and resort bus stops for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.”

Project elements that we’re considering as part of the Big Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Assessment include:

• Enhanced bus service 
• Mobility hub at bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon with a grade-separated interchange on Wasatch Boulevard to access the mobility hub
• Resort bus stops
• Improvements to the existing bus stops located at Silver Fork, Cardiff Fork, Spruces Campground, and Silver Lake/Solitude Nordic Center 
• Tolling
• Bus priority features intended to improve enhanced bus service operations and performance

This environmental study is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Study Area

Project Timeline

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by UDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by FHWA and UDOT.​