The city of Lehi is one step closer to receiving $2.5 million in federal funding for a “critical” congestion migration study, city officials announced Thursday.
“For over seven years, we have been working on transportation solutions that will serve the entire region. We know what improvements need to be made, and this study is a big step in the federal process,” said Lehi Mayor Mark Johnson.
Lehi city officials have been advocating in Washington, D.C., for the funding request to support a transportation study that would address growing traffic challenges, the city said. The study’s funding was included in the fiscal year 2026 transportation, housing and urban development appropriation bills, which were recently approved by the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees, city officials said in a statement.
“Lehi’s location along the I-15 corridor makes it a vital transit hub for northern Utah County, and rapid growth to the west in cities like Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain has significantly increased daily commuter traffic through the area. This increased demand has placed a strain on local infrastructure, reinforcing the need for long-term, data-driven solutions,” the city statement said.
Utah Department of Transportation projects already in development include expanding Pioneer Crossing to include flex lanes and converting Mountain View Corridor and 2100 South into freeways to connect Salt Lake County to Utah County and I-15 to western Utah County. The Utah Transportation Commission in 2024 directed nearly $1.4 billion in new funds toward those projects.
“The challenge is that the solutions are costly, and we must continue working to secure the necessary funding. We’re grateful for the strong partnerships we have built with our representatives in D.C., and their support in helping us pursue federal resources,” Johnson said.
The bill will need to be passed by the Senate and House to secure the funding for the city to move forward on a study analyzing transportation routes to create “in-depth planning and analysis that will guide future projects aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and improving mobility for residents and commuters.”
The Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Transit Authority also recently advanced a nearly $1-billion light rail project to address increasing congestion and rapid growth in the corridor between Draper and Lehi. This proposal, however, elicited a strong response from Johnson, who said it was “wrong” for the city and failed to serve residents effectively.