The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has completed the US-191 Realignment Project north of Vernal, improving safety and freight efficiency along the route to Flaming Gorge. The 2.6-mile realignment replaces steep switchbacks with smoother, standard-curve geometry designed for safer truck and passenger travel.
The $40 million project was delivered as a public-private partnership between UDOT and Simplot Phosphates. Simplot provided major in-kind support by moving millions of cubic yards of earth for the new embankments, reducing costs and accelerating completion. Construction began in March 2024 and concluded in October 2025.
Key safety features include a northbound climbing lane, a southbound passing lane, standard-width shoulders, and a new runaway-truck ramp. The improvements eliminate tight curves and steep grades that previously caused frequent slowdowns and hazards on this mountain segment.
The partnership allows Simplot to resume mining in the former roadway corridor while UDOT gains a safer and more efficient alignment for public use. Agency officials described the collaboration as a model for future rural infrastructure projects that blend industrial cooperation with public benefit.
The new alignment is open to traffic and offers drivers a smoother and more reliable route through eastern Utah’s Uintah County.