OREM, Utah — Geneva Road, a key thoroughfare south of University Parkway, is set to undergo a significant transformation in the coming months as the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) prepares to widen the busy, yet narrow road. The ambitious project, which will cost approximately $34 million, aims to improve traffic flow and make room for Orem’s growing population.
The planned upgrades include adding an additional lane in each direction, creating a center turn lane, and installing bike lanes on both sides of the road. A 10-foot-wide multi-use path will be built on the east side, while a sidewalk will be added on the west. These changes are designed not only to ease traffic congestion but also to better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.
Residents of the area, particularly those living along Geneva Road, have long voiced concerns about the noise and traffic challenges. Desiree Raulston, a local homeowner, expressed the difficulties of living on the busy road. “It’s loud, and there’s a ton of traffic,” she said. “Getting in and out of our driveway is rough. People don’t realize there’s a house here, because the turn lane ends right before my driveway.”
In response to these concerns, UDOT is committed to making the road safer and more efficient for all users. “We are going to widen the road a little bit through there, so there will be an extra lane in both directions,” said Wyatt Woolley, senior communications manager for UDOT Region Three. “We’re also continuing the bike path on the east side of the road and adding another on the west side.”
The project, which was requested by both the state legislature and Orem City, aims to improve connectivity throughout the area. Woolley highlighted the significance of the road for the local community, with Orem’s rapid growth, the new Latter-Day Saint temple nearby, and the proximity to the airport all contributing to increased traffic. “We’ve had lots of requests for better access and better traffic flow, not just for cars but for cyclists and pedestrians as well,” Woolley said.
However, the expansion of Geneva Road comes at a personal cost for some residents, like Raulston. UDOT has assessed her property as part of the planning process and will need to take part of her front yard to accommodate the road widening. “They’re going to end up taking a lot of our front yard,” she said. While Raulston has not yet received the final details of how much land will be affected, she remains supportive of the project. “Utah’s growing so much. I don’t want it to happen, but it needs to happen,” she explained.
Construction is slated to begin in late fall or early winter, after utility work is completed, and the project is expected to take about a year to finish. Though the roadwork may cause disruptions for residents in the short term, the long-term benefits of improved traffic flow and safety are expected to be substantial as Orem continues to grow.