Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
Construction is underway on a major infrastructure milestone in Bluffdale, where the city is replacing its aging one-lane underpass on 14600 South with a new four-lane tunnel built beneath active Union Pacific and Utah Transit Authority (UTA) rail lines.
According to Wasatch Front News, the $70 million project marks the first use of the “box jacking” tunneling method in the United States, a process that allows engineers to push large pre-constructed tunnel sections under an active rail line without interrupting train operations. Originating in Italy, the technique minimizes surface disruption while maintaining structural safety for ongoing rail traffic.
The new structure will replace a narrow underpass that currently handles roughly 11,000 vehicles per day, serving as one of Bluffdale’s main east–west connections, Wasatch Front News reported. Once completed, the tunnel will feature four travel lanes and multi-use pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, improving safety and mobility for the growing population of Bluffdale and neighboring Riverton.
City officials said the project, jointly funded by state and local sources, is part of a broader effort to enhance regional connectivity and accommodate rapid development across southern Salt Lake County. The corridor closure is expected to last approximately one year as crews complete excavation, structural installation, and surface restoration.
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