The U.S. Transportation Department awarded a $1.7 million grant Friday to improve the safety and traffic flow on U.S. 191, the highway now used by trucks hauling away the Atlas uranium tailings pile from near Moab.

Proposed upgrades to be funded by the money include improved signs, rumble strips, and shoulder and intersection improvements.

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, announced the discretionary grant by the Transportation Department.

"Moab is a major tourist destination, and this highway is how tens of thousands of visitors come and go from their visits. It's important to keep traffic moving and to prevent accidents with the large, slow trucks moving tailings from the old mill site to the rail spur loading area," he said.

E-MAIL: lee@desnews.com