Update 10/14/19: Widening construction is expected to be completed by the week of October 21.
The construction activity occurring on Pony Express Parkway since late spring is due to the city’s desire to be proactive in planning for continued growth and development and to respond to residents’ concerns about timing and traffic flow.
Following is information we hope will help residents understand the scope of the work being completed.
Multiple Projects
Construction on Pony Express Parkway is accomplishing several projects:
Pony Express Parkway Widening
Project to widen Pony Express Pkwy with two lanes each direction from Hidden Valley Pkwy (entrance to Hidden Hollow Elementary School) to Lake Mountain Road doubled in size when additional funding was allocated by the City and extended to two lanes each direction to Mid Valley Road (entrance to Frontier Middle School/Wride Park).
CWP Water Line
Four years ago the City installed a line to receive water from the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CWP). That line has now been extended between Lake Mountain Road and Cedar Pass Drive to bring additional water supply to City Center. This project was done in conjunction with the road widening to avoid having to tear up the road to install the line later.
Water Reuse Line
A secondary water line was installed between the city’s wastewater facility to Wride Park as part of the Facebook Data Center agreement to provide irrigation for the park from water that has been used for the data center’s cooling system. This helps decrease the demand on the culinary water system.
Traffic Signals
Five new traffic signals will be installed – Aviator Ave (entrance to Cedar Valley High School), Mid Valley Road, Hidden Valley Pkwy, Red Hawk Ranch Road, and Smith Ranch Road. These signals will replace existing stop signs (with the exception of the new Aviator Ave) and improve traffic flow, as well as providing safer school crossings.
Timing
Construction began as soon as weather permitted in the spring. The widening project was organized to avoid the Hidden Valley Pkwy and Mid Valley Road intersections until schools were out for summer break.
Some delays have occurred related to weather, an unexpected settling issue with the existing water line, and coordination with Rocky Mountain Power to move power lines. The traffic signal at Smith Ranch Road has been delayed until fall due to not receiving delivery of the signal by the expected time frame.
The contractor agreed to work with the City to get as much as possible done before the end of summer to lessen the burden on residents and schools during the school year. The widening project is currently on track for total completion by fall, with a significant portion finished before school starts.
Both the widening and traffic signals are being completed ahead of the timeline recommended by warrant studies, in some cases several years ahead. The City made these improvements the highest priority in budgeting.
Savings
By working with the same contractor the city doubled the scope of the project but only added a fraction of project time. All of the projects managed separately could have taken up to four years to complete.
With the time savings comes potential cost savings by avoiding increases in construction costs.
Plans
A microsurfacing treatment will be done on Pony Express Pkwy in September. This process is a proactive measure to extend the life of the road.
The City is planning for funding to continuing the widening of Pony Express Pkwy from Mid Valley Road to Bobby Wren Blvd. No specific timeline has been established for this yet.
As part of the Facebook Data Center agreement, Pony Express Pkwy will be widened from Eagle Mountain Blvd south to the data center.
The City is currently assessing the needs of Eagle Mountain Blvd and planning for future improvements for that road.
