Proposed Northern Corridor Highway Divides Washington County Residents

Residents weigh in on how the controversial highway project would affect their daily commutes.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The decades-long debate over Utah's proposed Northern Corridor highway has taken a new turn as residents weigh in on how the controversial project would actually affect their daily commutes. The four-lane highway would cut through Utah's Red Cliffs Conservation Area, connecting St. George and Washington City more directly. But for residents living along the proposed route, the project raises concerns about safety, noise, and environmental impact.

Why it matters

The Northern Corridor highway project has been a contentious issue in Washington County, with supporters arguing it will provide a more direct route for commuters, while opponents are concerned about the impact on the local community and environment. This debate highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing infrastructure needs with environmental preservation and community concerns.

The details

The proposed highway would connect St. George and Washington City, but residents in the Green Springs neighborhood say it would run through their suburban community rather than providing the direct route supporters promise. Concerns include increased traffic, safety risks for vulnerable populations like seniors and children, and environmental impacts like noise and pollution. Some residents argue the route would not actually save commuters much time.

  • The Northern Corridor highway project has been debated for decades in Washington County.
  • The project gained momentum recently when the Bureau of Land Management under President Trump approved the project in 2026.
  • Multiple conservation groups are now suing to reverse the BLM's decision to approve the project.

The players

Brett Johnson

A resident of western St. George near Santa Clara and Ivins who supports the Northern Corridor project, arguing it will provide a more direct route for drivers to access the freeway.

Jeanette Troise

A retired school psychologist who lives in the Green Springs neighborhood and opposes the highway, citing concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations and the environment.

Jeff Jobe

A Green Springs resident who is concerned about the increased road noise the highway would bring to the neighborhood.

Ed Bergthold

A Green Springs resident who is concerned about the width of the proposed highway, estimating it would span about 100 feet including travel lanes, median, and turn pockets.

President Trump

The president who approved the Northern Corridor project when the Bureau of Land Management made the decision during his administration.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know that the northern parkway is really going to change most people's commute. It's not about commuting, it's about getting from here onto the freeway to go north.”

— Brett Johnson (fox13now.com)

“My concerns are really on not only the environment, plants, and animals. The two sensitive groups that live along here are seniors, and there are young children so all of these age groups are highly sensitive to this kind of pollution both noise and exhaust.”

— Jeanette Troise, Retired school psychologist (fox13now.com)

“I'm in support of the president. I think he's putting America first. But it's very easy when you are in Washington, looking at maps, looking at something, and someone says, this is great, it's just BLM land. That's fine, but when you are here and it's personal and you're seeing it up front and close, I bet if he came to my backyard right here, he might think a little different. And I invite him.”

— Jeanette Troise, Retired school psychologist (fox13now.com)

What’s next

Multiple conservation groups have filed lawsuits to try to reverse the Bureau of Land Management's approval of the Northern Corridor project. The outcome of these legal challenges will be a key next step in determining the future of the controversial highway.

The takeaway

The debate over the Northern Corridor highway highlights the ongoing tensions between infrastructure development and environmental preservation, as well as the importance of considering the perspectives of local residents who will be directly impacted by such projects. This issue underscores the need for thorough community engagement and balanced decision-making when it comes to major transportation initiatives.