UDOT to restrict drivers with loads longer than 50 feet in Ogden Canyon

OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) — The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is permanently restricting drivers with loads longer than 50 feet in Ogden Canyon.

Additionally, UDOT will reduce the speed limit to 35 mph in the Narrows and install radar speed feedback signs. The safety measures will be implemented on Sept. 22.

UDOT says there have been five deaths along SR-39 in Ogden Canyon since 2015.

As a result, UDOT engineers completed a technical analysis that showed that drivers with loads longer than 50 feet cannot travel through some section of the canyon.

“This is the right thing to do,” UDOT Region One Senior Communications Manager Mitch Shaw said. “It’s up to us to create the best engineering solutions possible to help keep people safe. But this won’t prevent every crash. We need the public to help out, too.”

Shaw said that drivers need to pay attention, slow down, and put away any distractions.

Past safety measures

These are not the first safety measures to be implemented in Ogden Canyon.

Since 2024, UDOT has implemented mitigating rockfall at the SR-39 and SR-158 intersection, replaced aging barriers, installed centerline rumble strips, laced additional “no passing” and “curve warning” signs in the canyon and held an open house to gather public feedback on potential safety measures.