Upgrades to SR-162 and SR-262 in San Juan County will save lives, UDOT says

SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah — The Utah Department of Transportation has begun upgrading two major roads in San Juan County. UDOT said these changes could save many lives.

Thanks to a federal grant and other funds, UDOT has been working to upgrade SR-162 from Bluff to the Colorado border, and SR-262 from Montezuma Creek back up Highway 191.

UDOT Project Manager Devin Squire said SR 162 and SR 262 have needed attention for a long time.

Squire said they were able to move forward with the project thanks to a federal grant. One that doesn’t come that often for very remote areas.

“It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing for this rural, Four Corners area.”

Squire said a good chunk of the work is laying fresh pavement. The project also involves improving major safety features.

UDOT will upgrade guard rails and widen the shoulders in spots, so, people who need to pull over won’t be as at risk of having an accident.

“It’s basically river bottoms through a big stretch of this [road]. And if you were to go off the road, even a couple of feet, it could potentially be catastrophic. And honestly, it has been catastrophic for families out there,” Squire said.

The upgrades will save lives, according to Squire.

UDOT is working with the Navajo Nation, since some of the roads go through their reservation, to make the upgrades while also respecting its sovereignty.

Squire said they expect to be done by the end of 2026.

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