We recognize the need for a highway bypass in Heber Valley. What we strongly oppose is UDOT’s decision to route that bypass through the North Fields (Option B), one of the valley’s most scenic, productive, and irreplaceable landscapes.

Option B would permanently cut through open farmland, wildlife habitat, and wetlands in the North Fields to save one minute in travel time, according to UDOT’s own analysis. This tradeoff is unacceptable. Once this land is paved, it is gone forever.

The North Fields are central to what makes Heber Valley special: wide open views, working farms, clean air, and a landscape that defines our community’s identity. Preserving this land protects wildlife, supports agriculture, and ensures future generations inherit a valley that still looks and feels like Heber, not just another highway corridor.

Here are the facts:

• Land preservation is a one-time decision. Option A preserves future choices; Option B permanently removes them.
• Option B costs approximately $48 million more than Option A.
• Option B saves ~one minute compared to Option A..
• Option B cuts directly through the North Fields; Option A stays closer to existing US-40 infrastructure.
• Building through the North Fields puts a highway through the LAST large, beautiful contiguous agricultural area left in the Valley.
• Portions of Option B would be elevated, permanently altering the valley viewshed.
• If long-term growth requires additional mitigation, that can be addressed through access management, frontage roads, and operational changes without routing a new highway through the North Fields.
• The North Fields also have a high water table and watershed sensitivity, which is the entire reason they have not been developed yet.
• Utah faces statewide water supply and water quality constraints; building major highway infrastructure in this location increases long-term risk.

We are not saying “no bypass.” We are saying build it smarter. Option A keeps the road closer to existing highways, preserves far more open space than UDOT acknowledges, and aligns with decades of farmer and community input calling for protection of the North Fields.

We urge UDOT and state leaders to reject Option B and pursue a bypass alignment that respects the land, the people who live here, and the long-term heritage of the Heber Valley.

Sign this petition to stop Option B and protect the North Fields for today and for our children for generations to come.

Take Action
UDOT’s public comment period is open until March 9, 2026. This decision will not change without significant, visible public input. Written comments, calls, and attendance at public meetings all matter and become part of the official record. Your efforts matter.

Here's how you can help:

• Sign this petition.
• Submit a written comment to UDOT at hebervalleyeis@utah.gov or 801-210-0498.
• Attend the hearings (Jan 27 virtual, Jan 28 in-person) and put your input on the record.
  • Virtual meeting + Q&A: Jan 27, 2026, 6:00–7:30 pm (instructions to join are found here or hebervalleyeis.udot.utah.gov)
  • Open house + public hearing: Jan 28, 2026, 5:30–8:30 pm, Wasatch High School Library (930 S 500 E, Heber City, UT)
• Get updates (text + email) so we coordinate comments, turnout, and outreach.

Contact our local decision makers and leaders to make your opinion heard.

• UDOT Project Manager for Orem, Provo Canyon, and Wasatch County, Craig Hancock, chancock@utah.gov / 801-928-9158
• Transportation Commission Commissioner (Region 3), Jim Evans – jim@osolago.com / 801-380-2460
• Utah State Senator (Senate District 20), Ronald (Ron) M. Winterton, rwinterton@le.utah.gov / 435-299-8531
• Utah State Representative (House District 59), Mike L. Kohler, mkohler@le.utah.gov / 801-420-6158
• Midway City Mayor, Celeste Johnson, cjohnson@midwaycityut.gov
• Heber City Mayor, Heidi Franco, hfranco@heberut.gov
• Wasatch County Manager, Dustin Grabau – dgrabau@wasatch.utah.gov / 435-657-3180 (County Admin Office)
• Heber City Council, Yvonne Barney, ybarney@heberut.gov
• Heber City Council, Aaron Cheatwood, acheatwood@heberut.gov
• Heber City Council, Mike Johnston, mjohnston@heberut.gov
• Heber City Council, Sid Ostergaard, sostergaard@heberut.gov
• Heber City Council, Morgan Murdock, citycouncil@heberut.gov
• Heber City Council Office, (general), 435-654-0757
• Wasatch County Council Chair, Karl McMillan, kmcmillan@wasatch.utah.gov
• Wasatch County Council (general), (general), council@wasatch.utah.gov
• Wasatch County Council Office, (general), 435-657-3180

(Please note that I found these listed on various government websites. Do alert me to any error in the contact information and I will update promptly)