Federal land managers have again approved the long-debated Northern Corridor Highway in Washington County, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the proposed four-lane roadway after years of reversals, lawsuits, and political shifts.
On January 21, the Bureau of Land Management issued a record of decision approving a right-of-way for the highway, which would connect Washington Parkway to Red Hills Parkway north of St. George. This decision reinstates federal approval that had been withdrawn in 2024, following an earlier approval issued during the Trump administration in 2021.
County officials say the Northern Corridor is needed to address increasing east-west traffic congestion in the rapidly growing St. George area, particularly as development continues in Ivins, Santa Clara, and Washington City. Supporters argue the route would relieve pressure on downtown streets and provide a long-planned regional transportation connection.
The approved alignment would pass through a portion of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, a congressionally designated landscape established in 2009 to protect sensitive desert ecosystems and recreation areas. The corridor also crosses designated habitat for the threatened Mojave Desert tortoise, which has been a central point of opposition throughout the project’s history.
Environmental groups criticized the decision following its release, arguing the approval undermines federal environmental protections and weakens safeguards for protected public lands. Several organizations said they are reviewing legal options and may pursue additional court challenges, as earlier lawsuits delayed or blocked construction during previous phases of the project.
Federal and county officials say mitigation measures are included in the approval. Those measures include adding thousands of acres to the conservation area and implementing habitat protection and relocation efforts tied to the Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan. Project supporters say these actions would offset the roughly 200 acres directly affected by the roadway.
Washington County officials said preliminary construction activities such as fencing, final engineering work, and site preparation could begin within weeks, with full construction expected to take several years. However, timelines remain subject to potential legal challenges and additional permitting steps.
The Northern Corridor has been debated for more than two decades and remains one of the most contentious transportation projects in southern Utah. With federal approval restored, the project now enters its next phase, even as opposition efforts continue.
https://www.sunews.net/post/federal-approval-again-clears-path-for-long-debated-northern-corridor-highway
