A worker supervises trenching to install conduit. 

Project Overview

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is expanding the state’s fiber-optic connections by installing regional fiber-optic infrastructure along state highways in Central Utah. Free Wi-Fi hot spots will also be added in Nephi, Levan, and Gunnison. The new infrastructure will improve communications, support emergency services, and help nearby communities expand broadband access. 

Funding for this project was acquired through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund.

Construction began June 16, 2025, and will last until the end of 2026. 

The project area includes various state highways in Central Utah from Nephi to Salina: 

  • State Route 28 (SR-28) near Nephi, Levan, and Gunnison 
  • U.S. Highway 50 (US-50) near Salina
  • U.S. Highway 89 (US-89) near Sterling, Gunnison, Centerfield, and Salina
  • U.S. Highway 6 (US-6) near Thistle
What to Expect During Construction
  • Work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Increased noise, dust, and vibration
  • Truck traffic entering and leaving work zones
  • Trenches and construction equipment in work zones
  • Occasional shoulder and lane closures

Project Map

The project area start in Nephi on SR-24, and travels south to Gunnison, Sterling, Centerfield and Salina. The area also includes the intersection of US-89 and SR-6 in Thistle. 

Project Timeline

Construction started in quarter two of 2025 and will finish by the end of 2026 with the fiber network going live in December 2026. 

A worker supervises trenching to install conduit.  

Photo of construction worker bending conduit cables for fiber lines near a large machine.

A crew member  installs conduit.  

Schedule

Work hours: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Workdays: Monday – Friday

Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and material availability.

live
live
Construction: June 2025 to December 2026

  • January–Spring 2026: Boring and installation of conduit lines and fiber-optic cables 
  • January–Spring 2026: Hot spot equipment installation
  • Spring–Summer 2026: Finish installation of conduit and proofing and begin fiber installation. Continue work on hot spot equipment installation.

complete
complete
Design: Late 2024 to Early 2025

Contact Information

Contact the public information team with questions or concerns:

Hotline: 801-609-9878

Email: centralutahtechnology@utah.gov

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Stay Informed

To receive construction updates, please contact the public information team at the email address above and enter "Email Updates" in the subject line.

Know before you go! Visit udottraffic.utah.gov or download the UDOT Traffic app for up-to-date traffic information.