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Separating the Roads and the Railroads

As soon as there were roads crossing railroad tracks, there were grade crossing accidents, with trains running into automobiles, or autos running into trains.

Between 1920 and 1945, the Utah Department of Highways received aid from the U. S. government under the Transportation Act of 1920 for the separation of highways and railroads.

List of Federal Aid Projects

Following is a list of federal grade separation projects in Utah.

1920 -- Ogden, Weber County -- Riverdale Road overhead crossing of UP tracks. First proposed in 1919. Federal funding became available in 1920, construction completed in 1924.

(Read more about the Riverdale Road bridge)

1924 -- Price, Carbon County -- [F.A.P. 24-C] U. S. 50 subway crossing of D&RGW tracks. Contract awarded in Fall 1923. Approved by Utah PUC in March 1924. Steel girders placed in mid-September 1924. Opened to public at official ceremony on November 11, 1924.

1929 -- Colton, Carbon County -- The state highway between Colton and Kyune was relocated. The original route took the highway along the Price River, opposite of the D&RGW railroad tracks. The new route placed the highway on a new alignment across the ridge, in a direct straight line, and included at the eastern end, a high bridge across the river and railroad tracks. (Utah State Road Commission drawing Q145, dated October 9, 1929, "Alternate Routes, F. A. P. No. 95, Vicinity Of Colton")

1930 -- Ogden, Weber County -- Original U.S. 91 (30th Street) overhead crossing of UP tracks. Approved July 1930.

1930 -- Thistle, Utah County -- U.S. 50 at Thistle was moved to the east side of the railroad tracks, and a new 254-foot overhead crossing built to take the Sanpete traffic across the tracks.

The new overhead crossing eliminated 11 track crossings at Thistle. (Mount Pleasant Pyramid, October 10, 1930)

The Thistle project was opened for traffic on October 1, 1931. (News Advocate, October 8, 1931)

1931 -- Lake Point Junction, Tooele County -- Alternate U.S. 40 overhead crossing of UP and WP tracks. New highway called Garfield Cut­Off, feeding directly into west 2100 South. Approved 1931.

1932 -- Moark, Utah County -- U.S. 50 overhead crossing of D&RGW tracks at mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon. Approved 1932.

1932 -- Colton, Carbon County -- U.S. 50 overhead crossing of D&RGW tracks east of Colton. Approved November 1932.

1934 -- Bountiful, Davis County -- U.S. 89/91 subway crossing of Bamberger tracks. The crossing is where the most intense highway traffic in the state, at 5,000 cars per day, crosses the most intense railroad traffic in the state, at 30 trains per day. Approved March 1934.

The crossing was completed in July 1935, and Bamberger continued to use it until the railroad was abandoned in in late December 1958. Plans were presented to convert the right-of-way and the bridge to highway use in November 1960, and after the approval process was completed, construction began in April 1964, with completion in mid October 1964.

1935 -- Midvale, Salt Lake County -- U.S. 89/91 subway crossing of UP/D&RGW tracks at 7900 South. Approved March 1935.

Contractor bids were opened on October 15, 1935, for the construction of a concrete subway underpass for State Street to pass under the combined UP and D&RGW tracks between Midvale and Sandy. The successful bid was $106,979, including $58,969 for the concrete structure and $48,009 for the highway approaches on each side. The two railroads were to contribute $22,000 to move and combine their two separate tracks into a single combined crossing of State Street. To be completed within 225 working days. On Friday March 20, 1936, the first concrete portion of the new structure was poured. The new subway was to be completed in late September 1936. (Salt Lake Telegram, October 15, 1935; March 20, 1936)

1935 -- South Salt Lake -- Thirty-third (33rd) South in Salt Lake County, subway crossing under D&RGW tracks at about 450 West.

The state highway commission called for bids for the 33rd South subway to be submitted by October 18, 1935. The project was to cost $134,000, and land for its completion was allowed under eminent domain, with the condemnation suit approved on November 23, 1935. (Salt Lake Telegram, October 3, 1935; November 23, 1935)

1935 -- Brigham City, Box Elder County -- U.S. 30 subway crossing of UP and UIC tracks. Approved November 1935.

1936 -- Springville, Utah County -- U.S. 50 subway crossing of D&RGW tracks. Approved May 1936.

On December 10, 1935, the first traffic was to be allowed to use the new double subway undercrossings for Utah Railway and D&RGW in Springville, along with a new overpass crossing for Springville's Main Street over the tracks of the Salt Lake & Utah railroad. The project eliminated the three most dangerous grade crossings in the state. All work was complete, with some minor details yet to be done. The project began on January 28, 1935, and had been the largest of its kind in the state. (Salt Lake Telegram, November 29, 1935)

1936 -- Wanship, Summit County -- U.S. 189 overhead crossing of UP tracks. Approved October 1936.

1936 -- Garfield, Salt Lake County -- Garfield-Saltair Highway overhead crossing of UP and WP tracks. Approved December 1936.

1936 -- Helper, Carbon County -- Janet Street subway crossing of D&RGW tracks. Approved December 1936.

Contractor bids for the construction of the Janet Street subway undercrossing of D&RGW tracks in Helper was announced on August 14, 1936, with bids to be opened on August 31, 1936. The project was known as W.P.G.M. 202. Work was to begin on September 10 with the driving of the first piling and building of false works. (Salt Lake Telegram, August 14, 1936; September 9, 1936)

Ground breaking was scheduled for September 26, 1936, but the ceremony was called off because state officials were unable to attend. The D&RGW railroad built a by-pass track, and excavation for the underpass' concrete structure got under way in early October. (Salt Lake Telegram, September 25, 1936; Helper Journal, October 9, 1936)

The Janet Street underpass was officially opened on September 6, 1937, as part of Helper's Labor Day celebration. (Helper Journal, September 9, 1937)

1937 -- Provo, Utah County -- Center Street overhead crossing of UP and D&RGW tracks. 100% federal funding. Approved January 1937.

1937 -- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County -- Wasatch Boulevard overhead crossing of D&RGW tracks at mouth of Parleys Canyon, "Stillman Bridge". Approved September 1937.

(Read more about the Stillman bridge)

1937 -- Pleasant Grove, Utah County -- U.S. 89/State Street subway crossing of UP tracks.

The public service commission approved on February 28, 1936, the construction of a subway undercrossing for the combined U. S. highways 40, 89 and 91 to pass under the Union Pacific and the Salt Lake & Utah tracks in Pleasant Grove. Grading and construction started in late May 1936. Construction of the west concrete piers began in early August 1936. (Salt Lake Telegram, February 28, 1936; May 27, 1936; August 8, 1936)

1938 -- Hilltop, Sanpete County -- U.S. 89 overhead crossing of D&RGW tracks, near Milburn. Approved June 1938.

1938 -- Provo Canyon, Utah County -- U. S. 189 overhead crossing of D&RGW tracks at Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir. Approved June 1938.

1941 -- Altus, Parleys Summit, Summit County -- U.S. 40 subway crossing of D&RGW tracks near Parleys Summit. Approved February 1941.

D&RGW built a temporary shoo-fly track for its Park City Branch to cross U. S. 40 just east of Parleys Summit, while the new concrete overpass was built. The Federal Aid Project (F.A.P. 49 (2)) included a fenced stock trail, 65 feet wide, north of the new highway in the summit vicinity.

1941 -- Clearfield and Layton, Davis County -- Hill Field access road subway crossings of Bamberger. Approved 1941.

1942 -- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County -- S.R. 201 (2100 South) overhead crossing of D&RGW tracks. Approved September 1942.

1942 -- (north of Ogden) -- U.S. 91 overhead crossing of UP and UIC tracks. Approved 1942.

1945 -- Sunset, Davis County -- Ogden Arsenal Entrance Road subway crossing of Bamberger tracks. Approved May 1945.

Timeline of Federal Aid Projects

(Research completed in late July 1994)

1924
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct the viaduct for Riverdale Road over the south end of UP's Riverdale Yard in Ogden. First proposed in May 1919 with the costs being equally shared by the state and the railroad. In April 1920 the federal government was asked to assist in the construction. The federal government requested a 20 foot roadway, instead of an 18 foot roadway, and a 5 foot sidewalk, instead of a 4 foot sidewalk. Construction was delayed throughout 1921 and 1922. The bridge was finally completed in 1924. (Utah PSC #515)

March 27, 1924
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a subway under the D&RGW tracks at Price. Project No. FAP 24‑C Carbon County. (Utah PSC #659)

July 1930
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete bridge for U. S. Highway 91 over the UP's tracks at 30th Street in Ogden, replacing a wooden structure. (Utah PSC #1176)

(no date)
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad and the Western Pacific Railroad for a new state highway, called the Garfield Cut‑off. (Utah PSC #1263)

(no date)
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overpass bridge for U. S. Highway 50 over the D&RGW at Moark, at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon. Project No. FAP 73‑F. (Utah PSC #1282)

November 9, 1932
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overpass bridge for U. S. Highway 50 over the D&RGW tracks near Colton. Project No. FAP 95‑D. (Utah PSC #1291)

March 2, 1934
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete subway for U. S. Highway 91 under the Bamberger Railroad
in south Bountiful (now the 2nd West crossing of 5th West). The crossing is where the most intense highway traffic in the state, at 5,000 cars per day, crosses the most intense railroad traffic in the state, at 30 trains per day. Bamberger calls the station "Parkins". (Utah PSC #1512)

March 25, 1935
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete subway for State Street under the UP and D&RGW tracks near Midvale. Project No. NRH 119‑H (1935). (Utah PSC #1725)

November 9, 1935
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete subway U. S. Highway 30 under the UP and UIC tracks, north of Brigham City. Project No. WPGH 38‑A (1936). (Utah PSC #1807)

May 25, 1936
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete subway for U. S. Highway 50 under the D&RGW tracks at Springville. Project No. NRH 37‑A. (Utah PSC #1828)

October 6, 1936
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct an overhead crossing for U. S. Highway 189 over the tracks of UP's Park City Branch at Wanship. Project No. WPGH 76‑E. (Utah PSC #1829)

December 22, 1936
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overpass bridge for the Garfield‑Saltair Highway over the tracks of LA&SL and WP. Project No. WPGM 201. (Utah PSC #1895)

December 30, 1936
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete subway for Janet Street under the tracks of D&RGW in Helper. Works Program Project No. WPGM 202. (Utah PSC #1872)

January 8, 1937
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overhead viaduct crossing for Center Street (State Highway 114) over the UP and D&RGW tracks in Provo. U. S. Works Program Grade Crossing Project No. WPGM 203. Using 100% federal funds. (Utah PSC #1871)

September 23, 1937
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overpass bridge for Wasatch Boulevard over the tracks of D&RGW, at the mouth of Parleys Canyon, to connect with U. S. Highway 40. Later called the Stillman Bridge. Works Program Project No. WPSO 197‑B, "Parley's Canyon Bridge". (Utah PSC #1933)

June 7, 1938
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overhead viaduct for U. S. Highway 89 over the tracks of D&RGW's Marysvale Branch at Hilltop. Federal Aid Grade Crossing Project No. FAGH 72‑G (FAP‑72). The road was gravel at the time. (Utah PSC #2074)

June 7, 1938
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overhead viaduct for U. S. Highway 189 over the tracks of D&RGW in Provo Canyon. Both the railroad and the highway have been relocated due to the construction of Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir. Federal Aid Grade Crossing Project No. FAGH 65‑C.   (Utah PSC #2075)

February 18, 1941
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete grade separation bridge for the D&RGW's Park City Branch over U. S. Highway 40 at Altus. Project No. FAGH 49 (2) (3), "Altus Underpass". (Utah PSC #2446)

(no date)
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct underpass subways for the access roads to Hill Field, under the tracks of the Bamberger Railroad at Clearfield and Layton. (Utah PSC #2470 and 2471)

September 4, 1942
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a concrete overpass viaduct for 21st South (State Highway 201) over the tracks of D&RGW. 21st South is the main access road to the new Utah Ordnance Plant of the Remington Arms Company and the automobile traffic has increased greatly because of the war. Project No. AI‑FAP 218‑A (1), construction no. DA‑WI No.1 (1). (Utah PSC #2610)

November 17, 1942
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a level grade crossing for State Highway 68 over UP's Fairfield Branch, 3 miles south of Camp Williams. UP is operating 2 trains per week over the branch. (Utah PSC #2631)

(no date)
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to a concrete via duct overpass for U. S. Highway 91 over the UP and UIC tracks at Hot Springs. Federal Aid Project No. SN‑FAGH 214‑F. (Utah PSC #2768)

(no date)
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct a level grade crossing for 8th North over the tracks of the Bamberger Railroad. Project No. FAGM 65‑A (1), FAP No. 165B. (Utah PSC #2809)

Also from Case #2809, following are the numbers for other projects in the vicinity:

May 2, 1945
State Road Commission received Utah PSC approval to construct underpass subway for the Ogden Arsenal Entrance Road under the Bamberger railroad at Sunset. Federal Access Road Project No. DA‑WR 156 (1). (Utah PSC #2832)

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