Public-Private Partnership Helps Complete US 191 Realignment

Item #: 20260006

CONTACTS

Implementing Organization: Region Three
Implementation Lead: Larry Montoya, R3 Project Manager
Development Team:

UDOT:

- - Larry Montoya, R3 Project Manager
  - Rob Clayton, R3 Director
  - Darin Sjoblom, UDOT Geotechnical
  - Rich Crosland, UDOT Environmental
  - Marshall Terry, UDOT Utilities
  - Doug Bassett, R3 Traffic Engineer
  - Tyrel Edwards, R3 District Engineer
  - Phillip Peterson, R3 Preconstruction Engineer

Consultants & Contractors:

- - Jared Jackson, Simplot Mine Manager
  - Sheldon Kargis, Simplot Mining Engineer
  - Vince Christensen, Simplot Mining Engineer
  - Bret Sorenson, Jones & DeMille
  - David Riddle, Jones & DeMille
  - Rob Johnson and Jake Price, RB&G
  - Andrea Clayton, Gray Thomas, HDR

Public Officials:

Senator Ron Winterton
Representative Scott Chew
Transportation Commissioner Kevin Van Tassell

Article Written By: Winston Inoway
Innovation Team Coordinator: Winston Inoway

STATUS

Implementation Date: October 21, 2025
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: Where and when could partnership help your project?

APPLIES TO

Topic: Community Engagement
Organization(s): UDOT (all), Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4
Job Role(s): Administrative Staff / Commissions, Construction Engineer, Executive Leadership, Program Manager
Tags: Highway transportation, capital costs, infrastructure preservation, materials, supplies, personnel development, political factors, economic benefits, expenses, expenditures, rural development, value of life, value of time, simplification, communications > public relations ( PR ), contract administration > bids, contracting, solicitations, contracts, ( RFP, FRQ ), finance > appraisals, investments, asset management, cost recovery, cost sharing, fees, loans, revenues, sales, taxes, usage charges, governance > auditing, policy making, procedures, compliance, law, ( legal ), leadership, logistics > inventory, distribution, purchasing, procurement, warehousing, supply chain management, , civil engineering, industrial engineering, construction, contracting, planning, project management, right of way, construction safety, traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, vehicle safety, public opinion, user benefits, ( connected communities )

PROBLEM

US-191 north of Vernal is a route used for commercial trucking and recreational access to Flaming Gorge and I-15 in Wyoming. A 2.6-mile section with steep switchbacks and tight curves challenged drivers in both directions.

CHANGE

A public-private partnership with Simplot Phosphates allowed the realignment project to be completed more efficiently and saved taxpayer money. Simplot provided significant support in placing ten million cubic yards of earth for the new roadway embankment. The new realignment is located east of the previous road, and eliminates the switchback segment, uses standard horizontal curves, adds a northbound climbing lane and southbound passing lane, constructs a new runaway truck ramp, and includes standard-width shoulders.

RESULT

The public-private partnership is a win for the public, for UDOT, and for Simplot. The public now has a road that is safer and more efficient to travel; Simplot can extend their mining operation in the area; and UDOT was able to deliver the project on time and under budget with an estimated savings of $40 million.

IMPACT

BETTER MOBILITY

More efficient route

GOOD HEALTH

Adds new runaway truck ramp

CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

Easier access to Wyoming and Flaming Gorge

STRONG ECONOMY

Saved $40 million in material and excavation costs
Completed earlier with private entity help

EFFICIENCIES*

Cost Avoidance: Simplot placed 10 million cubic yards of earth to construct the embankment for the new alignment and completed the task in two years. UDOT estimated this cost at $40 million dollars based on current UDOT bid prices and it likely would have taken longer to accomplish.

*Benefits are estimated net of initial and ongoing expenses. Savings are averaged over the expected benefit life of the innovation. See details.

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