Ramping up: Completing a Utah’s West Davis Highway project 7 months ahead of schedule
CRH companies Staker Parson and Oldcastle Infrastructure, working together as a joint venture, delivered a fully integrated infrastructure solution for a major highway project in northern Utah
Driven by the state’s rapid population growth and the resulting surge in traffic, the project addressed the urgent need for a large-scale, complex road network upgrade. Opened in early 2024, the West Davis Highway spans 16 miles as a four-lane divided greenfield highway, enhancing regional connectivity and reducing traffic delays by up to 30%.
Project Snapshot
Location: Utah, USA
Product Type(s): Aggregates, Asphalt, Readymixed Concrete
Utah’s ambitious plan to expand the West Davis Highway
From 2010 to 2020, Utah was the fastest-growing state in the United States. That growth is projected to continue, with northern Utah’s population expected to increase 65% by 2040. More people means more traffic and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) recognized the need to improve the road network to meet the anticipated demand.
A seven-year study produced a proposal for the West Davis Highway, an infrastructure project of enormous scale and complexity. To complete such an ambitious project, UDOT needed partners that understood the needs of the local community and could bring together the experience, skills and capabilities required.
Paving the way for a growing community
As the largest building materials solutions business in North America, CRH has supported growth in Utah for more than four decades. With a track record of success and strong local relationships, Staker Parson Materials & Construction and Oldcastle Infrastructure were selected as part of the Farmington Bay Constructors Joint Venture (JV). These two CRH companies worked closely with their JV partners, Ames Construction and Wadsworth Brothers, to deliver the massive undertaking.
The 16-mile, four-lane divided greenfield highway project was developed with the community in mind , including freeway-style interchanges, 10 miles of new trails for cycling and walking, and noise-reducing pavement and dark-sky lamps that reduce light pollution. UDOT also acquired over a thousand acres west of the highway to add to the Great Salt Lake Shoreline Preserve, increasing the wetlands and uplands habitat to 4,400 acres.
Overcoming challenges through agility and innovation
Just before construction began in 2021, COVID-19 posed sudden staffing constraints and supply-chain issues. CRH and the JV partners harnessed the power and agility of their businesses and vast network of talent to keep the project on schedule and to bring UDOT’s vision to reality.
Staker Parson and Oldcastle Infrastructure worked side-by-side with their partners to deliver a fully integrated road and water infrastructure solution. Oldcastle Infrastructure manufactured and delivered 75,000 feet of reinforced concrete pipe to safely divert stormwater from the road surface. Meanwhile, Staker Parson conducted underground utility work, drainage, embankment work and asphalt paving. CRH’s ability to integrate essential materials from Staker Parson with value-added concrete products from Oldcastle Infrastructure uniquely positioned CRH to help deliver the project seven months ahead of schedule.
Sustainability performance was also top of mind in the planning and completion. CRH is the largest recycler in North America, and Staker Parson implemented an innovative, circular solution for this project. The team repurposed 760,000 tons of mining byproduct and used the material as structural fill. In addition, over 78,000 tons of recycled asphalt was used in the asphalt blend to pave the highway. These efforts helped minimize the environmental impact of the project.
Results
The West Davis Highway is designed to serve the people living and working in northern Utah. Today, running from Farmington to West Point, the new highway is reducing delays on roads west of I-15 by as much as 30%, according to UDOT estimates. Cyclists and runners have 10 miles of new trails to explore.
By taking a community-first mindset and prioritizing sustainability and efficiency, Staker Parson and Oldcastle Infrastructure, along with their partners, provided an integrated solution for UDOT that will ensure high-quality roads in Utah for decades to come.
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