Highway 91/200 W.

History

Before Highway 91 was introduced to Richmond, the main road or highway was State Street for the city's earlier years. It's not exactly known when the switch was made for 200 West to be the highway of the city, but it has played a large part in the city's history.

During the early years of the Cold War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956 as a way for Americans to flee atomic attacks effectively on large, paved roads. With it, the National Highway System of America was born. One of those roads that was created was Highway 91, originally used as a north-to-south highway from Long Beach, California to Coutts, Alberta, Canada. Around 1972-1975, Highway 91 was moved to Utah for individuals to drive from Las Vegas, Nevada to Dillon, Montana. When Interstate 15 was constructed, much of Highway 91 was dissolved into the Interstate. However, part of the Highway was granted to be used in Cache Valley and serves as the main artery for Richmond.1

In Dec 2000, it was proposed that the Highway between Smithfield and the Utah/Idaho border be widened. Traffic and speeds made it difficult for individuals to cross the highway, and Mendenhall's bend on the south end of Richmond was a dangerous area.2

During the construction of the highway, Mayor Kip Panter spoke with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDoT) to add a stoplight at the intersection of Main and the Highway. UDoT was not supportive at first, but after seeing children trying to beat cars while crossing the highway in an unsafe manner, they agreed.

On April 14, 2004, a groundbreaking for the widening of Highway 91 was held in the Richmond City Park. Utah Governor Olene Walker attended the meeting.3