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SR-9 | Zion Canyon | Technology

SR-9 | Zion Canyon | Technology

Construction Update: October 30, 2026

A worker in a bright safety shirt operates pavement-cutting equipment on a roadway, with towering red and tan sandstone cliffs and green vegetation in the background.

A crew member rock sawing across Watchman Drive in Zion National Park.

Zion Fiber Phase I

Closure map showing a closure between Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and the east entrance of Zion National Park along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.

ROAD CLOSURE ADVISORY: ZION-MOUNT CARMEL TUNNEL

Location: SR-9 / Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Tunnel, (MP) 36–39

Affected Dates: Nightly, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., from Monday, Nov. 2 through Friday morning, Nov. 6

  • Purpose: Pulling cable through existing conduit inside the tunnel. Expect full road closures during work hours. Vehicles will be turned around at Zion Canyon Junction on the west side of the tunnel and approximately 50 feet before the east entrance to the tunnel.

Through November 6*, multiple crews will be operating in the following areas:

  • Hurricane – SR-9 Milepost (MP) 3-6: Crews will be plowing, trenching, installing junction boxes (conduit connectors that provide access points), and laying conduit along the shoulder of eastbound SR-9. No direct traffic impacts are anticipated.
  • Rockville - SR-9 Milepost (MP) 26-29: Crews will be conduit proofing (testing pre-installed conduit to ensure a clear path for future fiber cable installation) and drilling for conduit installation. No direct traffic impacts are anticipated.
  • Springdale – SR-9 Milepost (MP) 30-32: Crews will be drilling, backfilling, and installing conduit and trench boxes along the southbound SR-9 shoulder on the west end of the town.
    • In addition to daytime work operations, night work will begin as early as Monday, November 2.
    • Work will continue nightly, Monday through Friday morning, through the end of 2026.
    • Motorists should expect one-way traffic with minor delays.
    • Pedestrians and cyclists should expect detour routes through work zones.
  • Mount Carmel – SR-9 Milepost (MP) 46-57: Crews will be conduit proofing and installing junction boxes.

*Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather, utility, and material delays.

Zion Fiber Phase II

Through November 6*, multiple crews will be operating in the following areas:

  • Mount Carmel Junction/Orderville – US 89 Milepost (MP) 81-91: Crews will be plowing and traveling north on US 89.
  • Panguitch/Paragonah – SR-20 Milepost (MP) 1-20: Crews will continue installing junction boxes and rock sawing along SR-20.
  • North of Panguitch – US 89 Milepost (MP) 133-140: Crews will continue directional drilling and installing junction boxes.
  • Junction of US 89 and SR-20: Crews will be boring across the intersection as early as Monday, November 2. Expect minor traffic impacts.

With the construction activities primarily occurring along roadway shoulders, drivers should expect minimal traffic impacts across most work areas.

*Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather, utility, and material delays.

 

Map showing Phase I and Phase II work areas along SR-9 and US-89 near Zion National Park, Rockville, Springdale, Glendale, and Panguitch.

 

Zion Canyon Fiber Optics Project Map (Phases 1 and 2)

Project Overview

The Utah Department of Transportation's Zion Canyon Fiber Optics Project will:

  • Install over 130 miles of fiber optic cable along State Route 9 (SR-9), the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, US 89, and SR-20.

  • Support Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) devices, such as traffic cameras, electronic message signs or variable message signs, and weather stations.

  • Expand and modernize the state's fiber optic infrastructure.

  • Enhance overall community connectivity.

Work on Phase 1 began Wednesday, June 3, and is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027. 
Work on Phase 2 began Monday, August 24, and is anticipated to be completed in December 2026.

Key Components

  1. Fiber Optic Cable Installation: Over 50 miles of new fiber optic cable will be installed to connect key ITS devices and improve broadband access.

  2. Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Support: The fiber optic network will support various ITS devices, including traffic cameras, road signs, and weather stations, enhancing real-time traffic management and incident response.

  3. Environmental Considerations: The project will implement environmentally friendly construction practices to minimize the impact on Zion National Park's natural landscape and ecosystem.

  4. Partnerships: Partnering with local telecommunications companies to jointly use infrastructure and lower expenses.

Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of fiber!

Project Map

Corridor map showing UDOT and National Park roadway segments along SR-9 between Hurricane, Springdale, Zion National Park, Rockville, and Mt. Carmel Junction.

 

Photos from Past Fiber Installation Projects

Roadside construction along a mountain highway with equipment, traffic barrels, and a worker in safety gear.Aerial view of road construction in a desert area with heavy machinery and workers along the roadway.Worker in high‑visibility safety gear walking beside a trailer carrying large coiled materials at a construction site.
Wide view of highway construction in a desert landscape, with heavy equipment and vehicles working along the roadway below rocky hills.Aerial view of large construction equipment and support vehicles working along a highway in a desert landscape with rocky hills in the background. Aerial view of road construction with a large yellow machine, workers in safety gear, and support trucks parked nearby.
Aerial view of highway construction with heavy equipment and vehicles working in the median of a divided road through a dry landscape.Construction equipment working in a desert area with rocky terrain, showing machinery and workers on a graded site under clear skies.Construction activity along a desert highway, with heavy equipment, support vehicles, and materials staged beside the road with hills in the background.

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Schedule

  • Outside Zion National Park: Daytime work occurs Monday through Saturday, except holidays, with occasional nighttime work.
  • Inside Zion National Park: Daytime and nighttime work occurs Monday through Thursday, except holidays, with traffic delays.
  • General Conditions: Expect lane shifts and restrictions, heavy equipment, crews, and support vehicles.

Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather, utility and material delays.

live
live

Construction: Summer 2026 - Spring 2027

planned
planned

Project Completion: Spring 2027

complete
complete

Project Milestones

  • Environmental Clearance: Fall 2025
  • Contractor Selection: Spring 2026
  • Start of Construction: June 2026

Contact Information

To contact the public information team with questions or concerns:

Hotline: 855-663-6800

Email: zioncanyontechnology@utah.gov

Stay Informed

To receive weekly construction updates, please contact the public information team at the email address above and enter "Weekly Updates" in the subject line, or sign up by submitting your information through the form at the bottom of the page.