Rehabilitation and expansion of arterial streets are also on the list, which has a staggering 28 highway projects and at least 10 major bicycle/pedestrian trails and loops between cities.

"There are quite a few projects to help with the conditions," Hawks said.

But funding is a problem.

Transportation planners say Utah is facing a $16.5 billion deficit for needed transportation projects. In the Dixie region alone, needs are well over $1 billion, according to Elmer.

The St. George area receives about $650,000 per year to maintain state roads. Another $650,000 in federal dollars is available to assist the SunTran transit system. Much of the money is relegated to rehabilitation projects and small construction fixes.

"We do not have sufficient funds to take care of the issues at the time we need to take care of them," Elmer said. "And, because of limited corridor capacity, we're going to see severe congestion if we can't get additional funding."

During the 2006 legislative session, Utah lawmakers approved a bill that authorizes the state to enter into public-private partnerships to build toll roads. The deal would allow the state to potentially take in billions by allowing a private group to pay for the right to build, maintain and collect tolls on a road.

New capacity roads in Washington County have the potential to become publicly operated toll roads, according to Elmer.

If nothing is done, cities could be faced with failed transportation systems, Hawks said.

"The rate of growth is unprecedented," he said, "and transportation absolutely needs to be addressed with the growth."

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com; nperkins@desnews.com