The end is near for Provo Canyon construction.

No, really.

"Our goal is to have four lanes open by the end of the year," said Geoff Dupaix, spokesman for the Utah Department of Transportation. "At that point, the project will be substantially complete."

Although only a few possible night closures lay ahead, drivers can still expect to see construction crews on U.S. 189 from the Sundance turnoff, also known as State Route 92, to a half-mile east of Deer Creek Dam.

"Things are moving along. We've had a good spring and are making substantial progress," Dupaix said.

During June, crews will be working on an anti-icing system for the new bridge at Deer Creek Dam, embankments at the bridge, and installing a drainage system on the four-mile stretch of road.

"The anti-icing system is similar to one on I-215 at Knudsen's Corner," said Dupaix. "This is just another safety measure we're implementing to improve the safety for motorists."

The anti-icing system uses sensors to detect wet roads and freezing temperatures at Knudsen's Corner, near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Under those conditions, an anti-icing liquid made of potassium acetate will spray itself to keep the road from icing over.

Once the project is finished there will be two lanes of traffic in each direction. Motorists heading toward Heber will be on the existing two lanes in the canyon, which UDOT hopes to have re-paved by the end of the summer.

Drivers exiting the canyon will do so on a new road elevated about 40 feet above the incoming traffic. In order to reduce the sharp corners at the dam, there will also be a bridge over the spillway instead.

"Motorists will be able to cross the bridge at more of a constant speed than at the current crossing," Dupaix said.

He estimated the cost of the project is near $95 million, which is being paid for through a combination of federal and state funding.

"The project is meant to build long-term improvements," he said. The changes are expected to handle growth for the next 20 years -- a standard for road projects.

A list of updates and current information for the project is available at www.udot.utah.gov/provo-canyon/.

Brooke Barker is available at 344-2559 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it