Monticello road construction may extend for several years

Travelers through Monticello and Monticello residents may be anxious to wrap up the road construction that has clogged the streets and air all summer, but road construction projects may extend for several years.

The current project to replace utility infrastructure under the main roadways is in the completion phase. The project was rushed forward because the Utah Department of Transportation planned to repave Highways 191 and 491 through Monticello in 2009.

Officials now state that limited funding may result in a delay of the Main Street portion of the repaving project until 2010 or later.

The current project is complete with a patch job designed to last one winter, leaving many local residents worried about the state of local highways if it is several winters before the repaving is complete.