A year and a half after closing, SR-45 is scheduled to reopen today, December 13th, with the completion of a new bridge. According to the UDOT Region 3 Public Involvement Team, the reopened road will save drivers approximately 20 minutes each way and “restore a key route for accessing the Book Cliffs and other outdoor recreation areas of southern Uintah County.” SR-45 was closed near milepost 7 in July 2015 after erosion was discovered near the roadway. After the road was closed, UDOT considered several options to address the erosion including construction of a bypass but ultimately it was determined that a bridge would be the most cost-effective and efficient solution. Construction on the $3.4 million dollar bridge began in August of this year. UDOT extended thanks to Dry Creek Structures, American Gilsonite, Deseret Power and other local stakeholders for their cooperation during construction.
