Description of Big Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Study public comment period. Orange box with white text: Public Comment Period. Dark blue box with white text: Nov. 13 through Dec. 13, 2024; Share your input with us on: The preliminary purpose and need of the project Observations or concerns associated with existing traffic conditions Community and natural environmental resources that should be assessed in the study. White chat icons on either side of the date.

STUDY OVERVIEW

Transportation needs in Big Cottonwood Canyon are primarily related to traffic congestion during peak periods (typically 7-9am and 3-5pm) during the ski season and anticipated future increase in visitation as a result of population and tourism growth in Utah.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has started an environmental study to evaluate tolling and enhanced bus service to address winter-time traffic congestion management on State Route (SR) 190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon as directed by the Utah State Legislature in Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) (2023).

SB 2 specifies and directs UDOT to use certain legislature-allocated funds to “provide enhanced bus service, tolling, a mobility hub, and resort bus stops for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.” 

This environmental study will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Standstill traffic in Big Cottonwood Canyon during a winter snowstorm.

STUDY AREA

NEPA Assignment

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by UDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by FHWA and UDOT.​

Stay Informed

To receive update emails, please contact the public information team at the email address below and enter "Updates" in the subject line.

Contact Information

To contact the public information team with questions: 

Hotline: 801-477-6410

Email: bccstudy@utah.gov

Study Process & Schedule

complete
complete
Spring 2024 - Fall 2024

Pre-Scoping Activities:

  • Review of past studies
  • Identify environmental resources
  • Local government presentations
  • Stakeholder working group meeting
  • Public outreach

live
live
Fall 2024 - Winter 2024

Scoping: 

  • Existing conditions traffic analysis & projected 2050 no-action conditions
  • Develop study’s purpose and need 
  • Develop proposed concept 
  • Public Scoping meetings (virtual and in-person) and comment period
  • Local government presentations 
  • Stakeholder working group meeting  
  • Public outreach

planned
planned
Winter 2024 - Fall 2025

Environmental Study: 

  • Refine action alternative
  • Analyze environmental impacts
  • Prepare and publish environmental document
  • Local government presentations
  • Stakeholder working group meeting
  • Public hearings (virtual and in person) and comment period
  • Public outreach

planned
planned
Winter 2025

Decision:

  • Respond to public comments
  • Revise environmental document as appropriate
  • Issue decision document
  • Stakeholder working group meeting
  • Local government presentations
  • Public outreach