| 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 | 06-24-25
Montezuma Creek Roundabout Sub-Grading | 06-24-25
Culvert Extension and Headwall Assembly | SR-262 | 02-10-25
Completed Cattleguard Installation | SR-162 @ Montezuma Creek | 02-10-25
Trenching for Fiber Optic Conduit Installation | SR-262 | 02-10-25 | ||||||
Schedule
Pre-Construction 2024
- Contractor Advertising (March/April)
- Contractor Awarded (May)
- Groundbreaking Event (Aug 13)
Construction: Aug. 2024 - Spring 2026
Work Hours: 7am - 7pm
Workdays: Monday - Friday (No Holidays)
Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and material availability.
(Updated as of 9/18/25)
SR-262
US-191 to Montezuma Creek: Paving activity complete. Varied work requiring short-distance traffic control will be required to maintain safety for crews as they work on bridges. Motorists should expect up to 5 min. delays at each flagging location.
SR-162
Bluff to Montezuma Creek: Some shoulder widening activity is ongoing requiring a short flagging and pilot car operation. There may be as many as two flagging and pilot car operations along this route. Paving anticipated by late-Sept. Delays may be 10-15 minutes, with up to 20 minutes during peak periods
Montezuma Creek to Aneth: Heavy paving work in Montezuma Creek is complete. However, the full reconstruct of the road surface continues between Montezuma Creek and Aneth. Be cautious while traveling as the entire depth of asphalt has been removed in one-mile 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 another 15 minutes delays during peak periods.
Aneth to Colorado Border: Plan on occasional shoulder operations as necessary. No delays are anticipated.
SR-162 | McElmo Creek Bridge
Traffic now moving over bridge with approaches from either side under construction.
SR-162/262 | Montezuma Creek Roundabout
The new roundabout construction is ongoing. Pavement to be applied starting 9/17. Traffic bypass detour remains active. Current delays are running in excess of 10 minutes during peak periods. (Update) Traffic will not begin through the roundabout until the lighting is powered up and the lane striping is complete. DATE TBA
Please see the "Traffic Impacts" Tab for more details.
News Headlines
San Juan Record | Sept 2
San Juan Record| 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