The highway through the Book Cliffs is back on the table despite protests from landowners and Grand County

A proposed freeway through Book Cliffs in eastern Utah is back on the table after being suspended last year due to setbacks from Grand County and other complications – such as lack of funding. But talks about a federal infrastructure package helped revitalize the project last month.

A group of rural Utah counties called the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition first proposed the route through the Book Cliffs in the 1980s. Today the 35 mile road would connect Vernal to Moab.

Proponents of the freeway say it would increase tourism in Uintah County by connecting attractions in northeastern Utah like the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area with the Mighty Five national parks in the south.

Kate Groetzinger

Debby Elmgreen kept detailed records of attempts to build the Book Cliffs Highway. The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition has offered to buy her and her husband out, but they refuse to go.

It would also run straight through Debby Elmgreens Ranch. She and her husband were shocked to hear that the coalition voted to revive the project after it presented it in December.

“How can that happen again just seven months later? How is the situation now that has changed? ”Elmgreen said, tearing up.

The answer, according to Coalition Director Mike McKee, is simple: the board voted to submit the project because there were no funds available last year to build the road, which the coalition estimates will cost between $ 200 million and $ 400 million.

However, this is no longer the case due to President Joe Biden’s COVID aid and infrastructure bills, McKee said.

“Maybe there is money out there,” he said. “If so, let’s say [the road] on the active project list and see where it takes us. “

The coalition voted in May to put the road back on its list of active projects, which McKee said will allow it to continue a state-funded $ 3.2 million environmental study. Ultimately, according to McKee, the state of Utah would be responsible for building and maintaining the road.

But Grand County’s resistance may still prevent the project from proceeding. The district commission has in the past voted against the street, which would fall entirely within its jurisdiction.

Vernal to Moab via Price is 227 miles away, Vernal to Moab via Rangely is 217 miles away, and Vernal to Moab through the Book Cliffs is approximately 190 miles away according to Google Maps.

Commission chair Mary McGann said the road was a waste of money as it would cut the journey between Moab and Vernal by only a few minutes and put a strain on the county’s law enforcement resources.

“You always said we would get the state to keep this up [the road] So it’s not going to be Grand County’s tax dollars, ”said McGann. “Well, I’m a Utah citizen. It’s my tax money. It’s our tax money. It’s all tax money that’s being taken away for a road that really doesn’t serve much. “

District Commissioner Trisha Hedin said the road would also destroy the habitat of moose, antelopes and mule deer. She hunts the Book Cliffs every year, and she said the road crosses the winter and summer areas for big game in the Book Cliffs.

“If it moves down East Canyon, in narrow canyons into its winter terrain, you can imagine what the mortality would be,” she said. “It’s a big concern.”