The Mountainland Association of Governments is conducting a wide range of transportation studies to address the needs of a rapidly growing region, according to a report released August 25, 2026. These initiatives aim to identify infrastructure challenges and opportunities to support future investments and create a more efficient transportation system for residents in Utah, Wasatch, and Summit Counties.
Current Regional Planning Priorities
Current transportation research efforts are focused on several key regional priorities. The Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) is currently managing studies regarding road safety through the Safe Streets for All initiative. Additionally, the organization is working on the Heber Parkway Bypass Study, which focuses on planning a new highway located to the west of Heber City.
Transit and Highway Expansion
Transit solutions also remain a central focus of regional planning. MAG is conducting the South Valley Transit Study to examine transit options between Provo and Santaquin. This effort is part of a broader mission to guide future transportation investments and infrastructure improvements through data-driven study recommendations.
Archived Transportation Research
The organization maintains an extensive archive of completed research that informs long-term regional development. Past studies include the Central Corridor Transit Study, which evaluated high-capacity transit options between Lehi and Provo, and the Foothill Boulevard Corridor Study, which also examined highway planning west of Heber City. Other archived projects include the Historic Utah Southern Rail Trail Feasibility Study and the Lake Mountain Transportation Study, which addressed specific challenges around Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs.
Utah County Corridor Studies
Regional studies have also addressed specific local corridors and community needs. The Northeast Area Study evaluated mobility challenges in northeastern Utah County, while the North Lakeshore Area Study examined transportation needs along the northwest side of Utah Lake. In southern Utah County, the Nebo Area Study examined future travel needs, and the Provo to Nebo Corridor Study evaluated transit opportunities in one of the fastest-growing areas of the region.
Urban Mobility and Lifestyle Studies
Urban-specific studies have addressed parking and street connectivity to improve local mobility. MAG has developed a Parking Modernization Guide to help communities rethink strategies in response to changing travel patterns, as well as a Transit Parking Strategy Guidebook. Other specialized studies include the Utah Street Connectivity Guide, the Active Transportation Benefits Study, which examines the fiscal and health benefits of walking and cycling, and the Zero Fare Transit Study, which evaluates the potential impacts of reducing or eliminating transit fares across the Wasatch Front.
Specific Corridor and Local Studies
Detailed corridor studies have been conducted to address specific infrastructure deficiencies. These include the SR-198 Access and Circulation Study, which looks at traffic operations on the eastern portion of State Route 92, and the SR-198 Corridor Study, which addresses deficiencies between 2100 West and 800 South. Furthermore, the Springville-Spanish Fork Area Study has examined improvements in the Springville, Spanish Fork, and Mapleton areas, and the Provo 820 North Corridor Study has addressed infrastructure improvements for Provo's future development.
Regional Partnership and Goals
The Mountainland Association of Governments works in partnership with local jurisdictions as well as state and federal agencies to complete these studies. By identifying transportation challenges and opportunities, these studies serve as a foundation for regional transportation plans, local planning efforts, and future project development across the Utah, Wasatch, and Summit County areas.
