Overview

The Cottonwood Canyons Transit Program aims to improve safety, reliability, and mobility on State Route 190 (Big Cottonwood Canyon) and State Route 210 (Little Cottonwood Canyon). 

The program establishes more frequent bus routes, a transit center, bus stations at ski areas, mid canyon bus stops in Big Cottonwood Canyon, variable-priced congestion tolling, and other improvements to make the transportation system function better in the Cottonwood Canyons.

What infrastructure improvements for the canyons have been funded?

• Transit Center (at the Gravel Pit): A centralized regional mobility hub offering 1,750 parking stalls, bus staging, and direct transit boarding near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
• Gravel Pit Interchange: A new grade separated interchange providing access to the Transit Center without causing increased congestion on Wasatch Boulevard.
• Enhanced Bus Fleet and Service: Expanded bus service with increased frequencies and new buses.
• Resort Bus Stations: Comfortable, enclosed buildings featuring bus drop off and pickup areas, restrooms, lockers and other amenities.
• Bus Priority Enhancements: Targeted road improvements to allow buses to bypass congestion at critical bottlenecks and avoid parking lot backups.

What infrastructure improvements for the canyons are unfunded?

Phases 2 & 3 of the Little Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision are unfunded.

• Phase 2: Widening and improvements along Wasatch Boulevard, construction of snow sheds for avalanche protection on SR-210, and trailhead parking enhancements in Little Cottonwood Canyon at White Pine, Lisa Falls, Gate Buttress, and the Bridge.
• Phase 3: Building an 8-mile aerial gondola system and a 2,500-space parking structure at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon to transport visitors directly to Snowbird and Alta.

What we’re improving in Little Cottonwood Canyon

• Enhanced bus service
• Transit Center
• Resort bus stations
• Tolling 
• Roadside parking restrictions

What we’re improving in Big Cottonwood Canyon

• Enhanced bus service
• Transit Center
• Resort bus stations
• Tolling

Project Timeline

>> Schedule subject to change to design, permitting, and material availability

• 2023–2025: Release of the Little Cottonwood Canyon EIS Record of Decision (ROD) and completion of the Big Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Assessment (EA).
• 2026 - Design and Bus Service Procurement: Includes ordering buses, soliciting a bus operator, and hiring final design engineers and architects.
• 2027 -  Final Design and Permitting: This stage covers the final designs for the transit center, Wasatch Blvd. interchange and transit-way, resort bus stops at Solitude and Brighton, the bus priority lane, and mid-canyon bus stops.
• 2027 - Property Acquisition and Construction: This phase involves securing the right-of-way (ROW) and starting construction.
• 2028 - Implementation (Fall): Anticipated operational start of enhanced bus service, the completion of the transit center construction, road improvements, and resort bus stations; start of tolling operations.