Mayor’s Message

Public Works is Hard at Work

In order to maintain the high quality of life we have come to expect, Washington City’s Public Works Department has been hard at work ensuring the city has the vital infrastructure residents need. As you drive around town, you will notice many projects that are underway, some nearing completion.

A traffic signal at 240 West and George Washington Blvd is under construction and will be ready before school starts later this summer. Warrants have been met for a traffic signal there, which should improve safety for drivers and pedestrians in the area. An additional traffic signal is being installed at 1100 East and Telegraph Street where warrants have also been met.

The new interchange at the Southern Parkway (SR7) and George Washington Blvd is nearing completion. This important interchange will facilitate efficient east-west traffic across the county as George Washington Blvd will eventually tie into Dixie Drive by the Convention Center in St George. This interchange will also offer an easier connection to the Fields from Sand Hollow and Hurricane. The on and off ramps at this interchange are scheduled to open in late August.

You may have noticed the temporary traffic lights at the new Main Street Interchange at I-15 have disappeared. This UDOT-driven project is moving along. The City collaborated with them to make the ramps and underpass as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Once completed, I hope you take time to appreciate the colors and textures, as they are designed to tie into the surrounding vistas of Southern Utah. This interchange will ease pressure on the Green Spring exit and provide direct access to the downtown.

Road improvements are slated for a section of Buena Vista Blvd, widening it to 5 lanes from Green Spring Dr to the St George city limit, where it connects to Red Hills Pkwy. This project includes the installation of 26,000 sq ft of asphalt, 7,000 sq ft of sidewalk, 3,500 ft of curb and gutter, and other miscellaneous features that go along with widening an existing road. The bidding process is complete and construction is anticipated to begin this fall.

Thank you for your patience with the recent traffic interruptions on Washington Fields Road. The project temporarily interrupting traffic flow is an extensive sewer-line upsize that will continue along 2000 South and 20 East over the coming weeks. 2000 South from Washington Fields Road to 20 East will be resurfaced and widened in conjunction with the sewer-line upsize project. Later this summer, sections of Sandia will also be repaired and resurfaced.  

Construction of a new water tank in the Long Valley area is underway. This new water tank will store 2.5 million gallons of water. The process of constructing a new water tank of this size, and doing it on a steep hillside, is no small feat. This water tank will primarily service neighborhoods from Long Valley to Sunrise Valley. Tanks like this allow us to continue storing and providing water in the city’s growing areas.

Earlier this year, we celebrated National Public Works Week. Our Public Works employees are unsung heroes. Because of their work, we can drive from point A to point B in our city, flush our toilets, take showers, and enjoy a high quality of life. The important public works projects described above are vital to our city. Thank you for your patience as we continue to serve you and ensure that you have the best place to live, work, and play!

-Kress Staheli

Mayor

kress@washingtoncity.org