Sunroc performed all the widening work on SR-14 from MP 11 to MP 12.5 in a $3.345 million project that involved significant challenges. This was a unique project, in part, because of its location up in the canyon. The project itself was completed in three phases. The first phase involved a massive box culvert reconstruct. Sunroc worked around a running river and had to find the best way to divert the water flowing through it while widening it out on both sides. The second phase involved adding a passing line for 1.5 miles on an uphill slope. To do this, Sunroc involved tree removal to clear the forest out from the new path. It was a unique opportunity to be involved with tree removal — something not common on every project. The third phase involved bringing in materials, removing a chip and seal overlay, and paving an asphalt overlay. An overlay was proposed instead of just adding chip and seal on the road. Sunroc ended up doing a complete overlay, which turned into a nice, finished product.

The biggest challenge of the project involved groundwater. The water level at the location was extremely high. Even when putting culverts across the road, crews would hit groundwater. So, learning how to mitigate water and deal with the issues that it presented showed the amount of success Sunroc had when the project was finally completed.

Sunroc had great partnering opportunities throughout the project, including UDOT. This was Sunroc’s first digital delivery project with UDOT, which made things all the more challenging. Without paper plans of any kind, Sunroc was able to be very successful in completing this project. Unfortunately, there was one recordable injury on the project. It occurred when an employee slipped off his track hoe and twisted his knee. Sunroc received a smoothness bonus. The material used for the overlay was kept within UDOT’s high tolerance levels. Sunroc also received a completion bonus by ending 14 days ahead of schedule.