Construction update for Highway 162 and 262

Off-road work continues on the project to improve Highways 162 and 262 in San Juan County.
A dryer than normal winter has allowed crews to make progress on the $152 million “Energy Corridor” project to improve Highways 162 and 262 in central San Juan County.
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) project will improve safety and pavement along 53 miles of road. 
Additional improvements include the rebuild of multiple structures, and other road specific enhancements.
A short list of key upgrades includes: improve and/or reconstruct pavement, construct a roundabout at the SR-162 & SR-262 Intersection in Montezuma Creek, and replace the SR-162 bridge over McElmo Creek between Montezuma Creek and Aneth.
Other upgradfes include to improve safety features such as guardrail, cattleguards, signage, pavement markings, widen or add shoulders, install fiber-optic conduit, and rebuild or improve culverts and flood prevention infrastructure.
It is full steam ahead with steady progress remaining on-schedule for the major road reconstruction project. 
Since the holidays, crews have been leveling earth adjacent to the asphalt, and shifting the removed material to varied locations where shoulders are needed. 
Meanwhile, several dozen cattleguards have been installed. Other important additions are nearly complete, such as culvert extension and headwall upgrades, fiber optic installations, and UDOT right of way fencing repairs/additions. 
Construction crews also began the work to rebuild the McElmo Bridge between Montezuma Creek and Aneth.  Heavy equipment has been clearing vegetation to reestablish a strong footing for the new structure, set to be erected just south of the existing bridge. 
Travelers crossing the bridge may have noticed several different staging areas, some of which are helping to build the approaches to the new bridge. 
The long-term goal is to begin bridge construction by April and be complete before the end of Fall. 
Several locations within the project regions will continue to require traffic control. 
Plan on the continuation of several short distance one-way alternating traffic operations using flaggers and a pilot car.  Travelers have reported minor delays of no more than 10-15 min.
Project managers ask motorists approaching the construction zones to be prepared to stop and follow instructions from flaggers. 
Crews are set to work Monday through Friday from sunrise to sunset. Estimated completion of the project is the summer of 2026.
Of course, schedules are subject to change depending upon weather conditions and material availability.
Additional project timelines estimate that crews will begin work on the new Montezuma Creek roundabout as early as the end of March.
Paving of SR-162, generally starting at Highway 191 and moving East, may start as early as April. Paving SR-262 may start as early as Spring, beginning at the US-191 and SR-262 junction at the base of White Mesa.
If you have questions or concerns, call the project hotline at 801-838-8364 or email udotinput.utah.gov/sr162-262.