UDOT’s 2-Year Traffic Solution for Little Cottonwood Canyon

For anyone who’s spent more time staring at brake lights than shredding, the "Red Snake" of Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) is a legendary nightmare. On December 17, 2025, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) announced a two-year plan to improve travel in the canyon.

While the long-term gondola project remains on the back burner due to legal discussions, UDOT is working on Phase 1. This phase focuses on immediate, high-impact solutions: enhanced busing, a new mobility hub, and a shift in how we access the resorts.

The cornerstone of this initiative is a new mobility hub located near the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon. This location is designed to be the transfer point, allowing travelers to park and hop on public transit.

By concentrating parking here, UDOT hopes to reduce the volume of cars on S.R. 210. Similar upgrades are being proposed for Big Cottonwood Canyon (BCC), including a 1,750-space parking structure.

Waiting an hour for a crowded bus is about to be a thing of the past. UDOT is ramping up bus service to operate every 10 to 20 minutes during peak periods. To support this increased flow, new, high-capacity bus stops are being constructed at both Snowbird and Alta.

These aren't just standard stops; they are meant for rider comfort and efficient loading to handle the masses on deep days. For BCC, the plan suggests indoor facilities at Solitude and Brighton, featuring lockers and restrooms so you can wait indoors.

Perhaps the most significant change for local shredders is the implementation of a congestion-based tolling system. While specific rates are still being finalized based on traffic demand, the goal is to keep the road moving at its effective capacity of roughly 1,000 vehicles per hour.

Along with the tolls is the ban on winter roadside parking near the resorts. This is to improve safety and travel times by removing the chaos of "creative" parking jobs that make the canyon road narrow.

Beyond the commute, UDOT's new legislation allows for traction law enforcement up to 24 hours before a storm. Additionally, a "Class 3" designation has been introduced, requiring a minimum of 5/32 inch tire tread to enter the canyons during major events. If you aren't dialed, you aren't getting in.