TRAFFIC NOTICE: SR-162/262 intersection bypass active. See "Traffic Impacts" tab for more details
 | Project IntroductionThe Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) in partnership with the Navajo Nation has received a Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Grant. The Grant will be used to improve safety on SR-162 and SR-262 in San Juan County, Utah. Additional federal and state funding has been approved with work tentatively scheduled to continue through 2026. | |||||
Project Purpose and ImprovementsThe project objectives are intended to improve safety and pavement along 53 miles of road in San Juan county between SR-162 and SR-262. Additional improvements include the rebuild of multiple structures, and other roadway specific enhancements. This project will make travel safer, smoother and more convenient for the residents in the area; visitors traveling to Bears Ears, Four Corners, and Hovenweep National Monuments; and workers serving the petroleum extraction industry in the region. The following is a shortlist of several key upgrades:
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McElmo Bridge Deck Forms | 062425
Montezuma Creek Roundabout Sub-Grading | 062425
Culvert Extension and Headwall Assembly | SR-262 | 021025
Completed Cattleguard Installation | SR-162 @ Montezuma Creek | 021025
Trenching for Fiber Optic Conduit Installation | SR-262 | 021025 | ||||||
Schedule
Pre-Construction 2024
- Contractor Advertising (March/April)
- Contractor Awarded (May)
- Groundbreaking Event (Aug 13)
Construction Start: mid-August 2024
Work Hours: 7am - 7pm
Workdays: Monday - Friday (No Holidays)
(Updated as of 6/25/25)
SR-262
US-191 to Montezuma Creek: Paving activity complete through this 22-mile route. Centerline rumblestrips to be installed in early July. Traffic control will be required at up to rolling 1-mile flagging and pilot car operations to maintain safety for crews. Fiber optic install continues heading toward Montezuma Creek. Motorists should expect up to 5 min. delays at each flagging location.
SR-162
Bluff to Montezuma Creek: Off-road work continues. Occasional local traffic control may be necessary. Delays should be light.
Montezuma Creek to Aneth: A full reconstruct of the road surface continues with paving completed through the first 5 miles from Montezuma Creek. Be cautious while traveling as the entire depth of asphalt has been removed in sections. Bumps in the road transitioning from asphalt to dirt. Be prepared to hold for a flagging and pilot-car operation. Please plan on up to 10 minutes delays.
Aneth to Colorado Border: Paving complete, with centerline and shoulder rumble strips to be installed in early July. Plan on some one-way alternating traffic delays.
SR-162 | McElmo Creek Bridge
Bridge deck forms in place. Concrete bridge deck to be poured with short-distance flagging operation on Thursday night, June 26. Traffic remains open on old bridge.
SR-162/262 | Montezuma Creek Roundabout
The new roundabout construction is underway with the sub-grading nearly complete. Traffic bypass detour active. Please see the "Traffic Impacts" Tab for more details.
Construction End: Summer 2026
Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and material availability.
News Headlines
San Juan Record (Update) | May 28
San Juan Record | Oct 16
San Juan Record | Aug 20
KSL-TV News Video Aug 13
Navajo Nation officials break ground on $152M San Juan County road upgrade | KSL - Aug 14 & Deseret News - Aug 15
Energy Corridor project groundbreaking | UDOT - Aug 13
Construction Cameras
Email Updates
Contact Information
To contact the public information team with questions or concerns:
Hotline: 801-838-8364
Email: sr162-262@utah.gov
Website: udotinput.utah.gov/sr162-262