Traveling Highway 191 north of Vernal is officially a safer venture moving forward. The Utah Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that the transition to the new alignment is complete. “After nearly 18 months of construction, UDOT has diverted traffic onto the new US-191 alignment and closed the switchbacks located approximately 12 miles north of Vernal,” shares project representative Wyatt Woolley. “Crews are still working to complete the new roadway, including shoulder work, median work, guardrail, and various other tasks. Currently traffic is limited to a single lane in both directions with reduced speed through the work zone. The passing lanes will remain closed until work is completed.” The realignment project replaced 2.6 miles of switchbacks with longer wider curves. The actual completion of the project is expected by October. By that time, the new alignment will include a runaway truck ramp, wider shoulders, a continuous uphill climbing lane and a downhill passing lane. For more information about the project, visit udotinput.utah.gov/us191realigned.
