Walkers, runners and cyclists who use the Emigration Trail between 700 South and 300 North lost access to that stretch on Aug. 13 and won't get it back until at least the end of November.
The Utah Department of Transportation closed the popular multi-use path to make way for construction on the SR-177 West Davis Corridor extension, a 2.5-mile project pushing the highway north into West Point. The closure affects trail users in Bountiful, Woods Cross and North Salt Lake.
The trail is closed now.
UDOT cited four reasons for shutting down the segment: utility installation and relocation, increased truck hauling, pile driving and construction of a new trail alignment, according to a UDOT update reported by the Standard-Examiner.
What to expect
Pile driving is underway near SR-193 and 700 South in Syracuse, with crews working that location first before moving to 700 South. The work runs Monday through Friday during daytime hours, so residents near those intersections should expect intermittent construction noise on weekdays.
The broader SR-177 extension project is scheduled Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Weekend work may happen as needed. UDOT Region 1 senior communication manager Mitch Shaw told the Standard-Examiner in July that nearby residents would be notified in advance if nighttime work becomes necessary.
The bigger picture
SR-177, also known as the West Davis Highway, currently runs 16 miles from Farmington to West Point with more than 10 miles of trails alongside it. The extension will add an interchange at SR-193 with on and off ramps, bridges over 300 North, 800 North and 1300 North, and an at-grade intersection at 1800 North. Shaw described the scope of those improvements to the Standard-Examiner in July.
The extension will also stretch the Emigration Trail from 1300 North to the Weber County line once the full project wraps up, according to that July report. UDOT expects the overall project to finish in 2028.
Detour and reopening
UDOT says "portions" of the closed trail segment are anticipated to reopen by the end of November, though the agency cautioned that schedules may shift based on construction progress and weather. It's unclear whether the full stretch from 700 South to 300 North will reopen at once or in phases.
A trail detour map is available on the UDOT West Davis Corridor project website. Residents looking for alternate routes during the closure can check that page for updates.
