Department of Transportation

The Department of Tranportation is responsible for the development, construction, and preservation of a balanced, multi-model statewide transportation system. UDOT has jurisdiction over more than 6000 miles of highway, which carries over 70 percent of the total vehicular traffic within Utah. While primarily known as a highway department, UDOT is involved in all aspects of transportation in Utah. It provides planning and support for statewide rail and air planning, rural mass transit, operations of ports of entry and motor carrier saftey, and even operates a ferry service across Lake Powell. (Capitol Connections, March 1994, Vol. 1, Issue 11).

When the Department of Transporation was created in 1975, the department became responsible for statewide highways; nautical and aeronautical functions; and planning, research, design, construction, maintenance, security and safety, relating to transportation systems. All functions, powers, duties, rights, responsibilities and obligations of the Road Commission, Department of Highways, Division of Aeronautics, Board of Aeronautics, and the Passenger Tramway Safety Board, together with certain functions, powers, duties, rights and responsibilities of the Public Service Commission, similar functions in relation to boats, and those of the Board of Parks and Recreation in relation to tramways were transferred to the agency.