Utah transportation officials are planning $1.6 million in improvements for bicycle travel on a scenic stretch of state Route 18 disrupted by a recent highway project north of St. George.
The stretch of highway through Snow Canyon State Park was one of the most popular in the region before the Utah Department of Transportation repaved it earlier this year.
New "rumble strips" along narrower shoulders made it safer for drivers but nearly impossible for cyclists to navigate the road.
The Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance joined with local officials and convinced UDOT that the safety concerns for cyclists and ensuing loss of tourism revenue warranted a change. Now the state has agreed to improve the roadway, adding 6 to 8 feet of shoulder on both sides of the roadway on a four-mile stretch from Diamond Valley to the Ledges development, as well as on another stretch of road already under construction near Snow Canyon Parkway.
The route is a key part of the St. George Ironman, Huntsman Senior World Games, the Tour de St. George and other major events. Las Vegas Review-Journal
