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UDOT Launches Two-Year Push to Ease Little Cottonwood Canyon Traffic With Buses and Tolling

The agency pivots to transit-focused, demand-managed fixes to deliver near-term relief without waiting for gondola litigation to end.

Overview

  • UDOT will add about 30 buses over the next two winters, aiming to boost service to Snowbird and Alta from every 30 minutes to 10–20 minutes during peak times.
  • The $250 million effort includes new indoor bus facilities at Snowbird Resort and Alta Ski Area plus a shared mobility hub planned near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
  • Officials plan to implement tolling and eliminate roadside winter parking near the resorts to reduce car volumes while keeping SR-210 open to drivers.
  • UDOT says the changes are intended to shorten delays and improve safety in a corridor with heavy congestion and numerous avalanche paths.
  • The agency is proceeding with Phase 1 despite consolidated federal lawsuits over a future gondola, with local leaders welcoming the near-term transit and demand-management steps.