WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah — Construction of the long-debated Northern Corridor highway in the St. George area has received federal approval, a decision that has divided communities across southern Utah for years.
On Wednesday, the Bureau of Land Management announced it approved the plan to build the proposed four-lane highway, which would connect Red Hills Parkway on the west side to Washington Parkway on the east. The route would cut through part of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, including portions of protected desert tortoise habitat.
The federal decision also removes a previously approved alternative that would have focused on upgrading Red Hills Parkway instead of building the new corridor. The Utah Department of Transportation determined the alternate plan "would not be technically or economically feasible."
Officials in Washington County praised the approval, saying the corridor will help relieve congestion by allowing traffic from Ivins and Santa Clara to reach Washington and Hurricane without cutting directly through downtown St. George.
County leaders said the planning process included collaboration with traffic engineers and wildlife biologists to identify the best transportation option while also "minimizing environmental impact."
The county also said the federal decision includes adding environmental protections for nearly 7,000 acres, known as Zone 6. That area includes the Bear Claw Poppy and Zen mountain bike trails, as well as Moe's Valley Climbing Area — a popular recreational destination that has been the focus of ongoing community concern.
Supporters of the project pointed to tortoise conservation measures as a key factor in the county’s approval case, emphasizing that the corridor plan includes broader habitat protections tied to the Zone 6 addition.
“While the corridor will require us to relocate 30-40 desert tortoises, the addition of Zone 6 to the Reserve protects more than 900 tortoises, making this a remarkable win for the tortoise and wildlife conservation overall," said Cameron Rognan, the administrator of the Washington County Tortoise Habitat Conservation Plan.
St. George Mayor Jimmie Hughes also supported the plan, calling it a "win-win."
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Not everyone agrees with the federal decision. The nonprofit Conserve Southwest Utah criticized the move, arguing the corridor will cause long-term damage to protected landscapes and recreational areas.
The organization called the approval "deeply disappointing" and said the highway will "damage iconic red rock landscapes, disrupt treasured outdoor recreation opportunities, and set a dangerous precedent for Congressionally-protected public lands."
Conserve Southwest Utah also accused the BLM of going against its own scientific findings, citing the agency’s environmental impact statement.
The Northern Corridor was first proposed in 2006, years before the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area was formally created in 2009.
The project gained renewed attention during the final month of the first Trump administration when the plan was approved, but that decision was later reversed by the Biden administration following a lawsuit filed by Conserve Southwest Utah.
Now, with the BLM approving the highway again, local officials and residents on both sides of the issue are preparing for the next steps — which will likely include continued debate over construction impacts, environmental mitigation, and what the corridor will mean for long-term growth in Washington County.
Additional project details are available through the Bureau of Land Management.
Originally reported by Spencer Burt in Fox 13 Now.
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