ST. GEORGE, Utah — City of St. George leaders commend the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for approving the Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) application for a right-of-way for the Northern Corridor. This decision fulfills the mandate included in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 creating the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (Red Cliffs NCA) that required the Secretary of the Interior to identify a northern transportation route across BLM managed lands. This route has been deemed optimal by traffic engineers and wildlife biologists, as it addresses traffic congestion while minimizing impacts to the environment.
The Northern Corridor will connect Washington Parkway on the east to Red Hills Parkway on the west, traversing a small portion of the Red Cliffs NCA. This new route will enable vehicles to travel between the Ivins/Santa Clara and Washington/Hurricane areas bypassing the increasing traffic congestion in downtown St. George. This project will improve traffic flow while preserving the livability and walkability in downtown St. George as well the unique characteristics of the Red Cliffs NCA.
Included with the selection of the UDOT Northern Corridor route is the extension of the Red Cliffs NCA into Zone 6, encompassing approximately 7,000 acres of pristine tortoise habitat east of Bloomington, including the Moe’s Valley Climbing Area and the Bear Claw Poppy and Zen mountain bike trails. The project not only addresses travel efficiency but also ensures that recreational areas remain protected and accessible, balancing infrastructure development with environmental and community interests.
“We have worked with our partners across many agencies — at the county, state and federal levels — for many years and to see the Northern Corridor right-of-way restored is great news,” said Mayor Jimmie Hughes. “Let’s be clear: This is a win-win. Not only do we preserve Zone 6, which includes Moe’s Valley, and protect an exponentially larger amount of open space, which includes the desert tortoise, but we also secure the vital transportation corridor mandated by Congress that will benefit our residents for years to come.”
The Red Cliffs NCA stretches from the Shivwits Indian Reservation to La Verkin. Recognizing the need for a future route to facilitate traffic from the west side of the county to the east side due to the rapid growth in the area, local leaders advocated for the protection of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area in the mid-2000s and requested that the Northern Corridor be included as part of the legislation. In 2009 Congress passed, and President Obama signed, a bill that accomplished this by creating the Red Cliffs NCA and requiring BLM to designate a location for the Northern Corridor.
UDOT previously obtained a Northern Corridor right-of-way permit in 2021, however the Biden administration revoked that right of way in December 2024. In its place, the BLM designated an alternative that would have cut right through the heart of downtown St. George.
“This Record of Decision allows us to preserve what we have created — a vibrant and engaging downtown, the scenic Red Hills Parkway and all the outdoor recreation that is offered in Zone 6,” said City Manager John Willis. “We applaud this development and appreciate the BLM for correcting a previous wrong.”
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About the City of St. George
St. George is the largest city in Washington County and the fifth-largest city in Utah with more than 100,000 residents. In recent years, people from across the United States have been attracted to St. George’s world class healthcare, active lifestyle, access to university education and proximity to unrivaled recreation. Scenic beauty abounds throughout the city and region including Snow Canyon State Park, Quail Creek and Sand Hollow Reservoirs and Zion National Park. With an average of about 300 days of sunshine per year, the community welcomes all to live, work, play and eat and experience the ‘Brighter Side’ in St. George, Utah.