The Utah Transportation Commission approved state funding for the S.R. 92 Pedestrian Bridge in Lehi during its Friday meeting, according to a November 8 report. The decision allows the project to enter the design and construction phase.
The state will allocate $4,533,402 to the project through its Transportation Investment Fund. This state funding will be paired with $4,466,598 in Mountainland Association of Government funding, providing the project with a total of $9 million.
The commission unanimously approved the funding. One commissioner remarked that the state needs to stay ahead of the ongoing growth in the area.
The bridge is designed to connect various trails north and south of S.R. 92, also known as Timpanogos Highway. It will provide a safer pedestrian route to Belmont Elementary and Viewmont Middle School to the north of the highway, and Skyridge High School to the south.
The project is located near the site of the future Lehi Utah Temple. This development aims to connect southern S.R. 92 neighborhoods to the new commercial district and temple currently under construction, according to Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran.
Community members have long advocated for the pedestrian bridge to provide a safer route for children crossing Timpanogos Highway at Center Street. Last month, a boy was injured after being struck by a car at that intersection.
Lehi City Councilwoman Emily Lockhart stated that the milestone represents nearly a decade of work, persistence, and collaboration involving residents, Lehi City staff, elected officials, and transportation partners. Skyler Beltran credited current and former Lehi City elected officials, Sen. Brady Brammer, and various other stakeholders for their efforts on the project.
