Commission approves corridor‑preservation purchases and property exchange; fund balance and uses reviewed

UDOT staff reviewed the corridor preservation fund balance and recent right‑of‑way requests, and the Transportation Commission approved multiple acquisitions and one property exchange intended to secure future rights‑of‑way.

Ross Crow, director of Right‑of‑Way, presented financial tracking for the corridor preservation fund, detailing balances forward, revenues and obligations through late 2025 and December. Crow said the fund had a balance forward in the tens of millions and noted applications pending and properties under negotiation.

Commissioners then approved several corridor actions:

- Salem (SR‑164): a small acquisition of 0.311 acres to support a future SR‑164 alignment, with a total request of $293,241 including contingency.

- Payson interchange: a previously approved acquisition was re‑appraised during ongoing negotiations; the revised appraisal increased the proposed acquisition value to $4,647,200 (an increase of about $703,181) and the commission approved the additional funding.

- American Fork/Vineyard connector: staff described that a previously purchased parcel no longer matched the feasible alignment; UDOT and American Fork City proposed a value‑for‑value trade so the city can use one parcel for a new fire station and UDOT will obtain the parcel needed for the Vineyard Corridor; commissioners approved the exchange.

Commissioners discussed opportunities to make surplus UDOT land available for affordable housing, and staff noted UDOT has designated parcels for that purpose under policy. Right‑of‑way staff said corridor preservation actions are voluntary and rely on willing sellers; acquisitions proceed when landowners are ready to sell.

What’s next: Staff will complete acquisition paperwork, update the corridor list for March commission action on high‑priority corridors and continue coordination with affected municipalities.