After one of the lightest winters in memory, the valley feels like it skipped straight to late spring. Lawns are greening, bees waking early, and record warmth has kids on bicycles weeks ahead of schedule. With sunshine comes anticipation — water plans, road work, and new ways to get around.
You can sense that momentum in the week’s stories. A freeway groundbreaking promises easier east‑west travel, a hometown guard lit up the NCAA tournament, and local leaders are weighing a regional ice center and on‑demand transit. Live music, garden classes, storytelling nights and multiple Easter egg hunts offer joyful ways to gather and welcome spring.
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This newsletter is brought to you by Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning of Utah County. Thanks to their support, we can keep covering the people, projects, and events that make our community unique.
In today’s edition:
One local story worth knowing about
Quick updates from around the county
A local restaurant spotlight in Saratoga Springs
Things to do in the week ahead
A few updates you might have missed
The Big Story
2100 North freeway groundbreaking
State and local officials gathered in Lehi last week to break ground on the 2100 North freeway, calling it a “transformational project.” The Utah Department of Transportation is building a 2.8-mile freeway-to-freeway connection linking I-15 to the Mountain View Corridor. The $621-million project will create Utah County’s first east-west expressway with six lanes, 14 traffic bridges and two pedestrian bridges. By placing the new roadway between the existing lanes on 2100 North, UDOT plans to keep the busy road open during construction and finish by late 2028.
In addition to the freeway itself, crews will build nearly two miles of shared-use paths and realign existing trails for cyclists and pedestrians. The project is part of a broader $1.4-billion investment in northwest Utah County’s transportation infrastructure and is designed to separate local traffic from through traffic and ease congestion on Redwood Road. Engineers estimate the new route could save commuters up to 12 minutes in each direction during rush hour. The project is expected to reshape how traffic moves through one of the county’s busiest corridors.
Local leaders say the freeway is about more than cars. UDOT Region Three Director Rob Clayton called projects like this critical to maintaining mobility in a rapidly growing county, and project director Andrew Jordan said connecting Mountain View Corridor directly to I-15 will make it easier for residents to reach jobs, family and recreation. State Rep. Stephanie Gricius noted that investing in roads means investing in people and said she held meetings during rush hour so officials could experience the congestion residents face. Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran added that the freeway will “put families together for 30 more minutes” and support fast-growing western communities.
Quick Hits
Local star in the NCAA tournament
Eagle Mountain’s own Drake Allen filled the stat sheet in Utah State’s 86–76 upset of Villanova, finishing with 11 points on 3‑of‑6 shooting along with three rebounds, six assists and three steals. The former Westlake High standout, who began his college career at Southern Utah University and later played for UVU, now plays for the Aggies. Allen’s performance helped send Utah State into the Round of 32.
Lehi considers an ice‑center feasibility study
Lehi’s economic development director has asked the city council to allocate $33,000 in redevelopment funds for a feasibility study on building a regional ice center. The proposed facility would feature two or three NHL‑standard rinks with locker rooms, spectator seating, concessions and skate rentals. Utah County and other partners would help fund construction while Lehi would operate and maintain the complex. Some council members balked at using city money for a regional amenity and want the county to take the lead.
Microtransit coming to northwest Utah County
Northwest Utah County residents will soon have an on‑demand transit option designed to bridge the “last mile” between homes and transit stops. After nearly a year of negotiations, the Utah County Commission and UTA approved a “mobility zone” covering about 77 square miles and serving roughly 181 000 people across Lehi, American Fork, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. Beginning August 16, riders will be able to request shared rides through the UTA app, be picked up near their location and taken to a bus stop, FrontRunner station or local destination. The program will launch with 16 vehicles—half of them wheelchair accessible—and will collect data to inform future transit investments.
Restaurant of the Week
On the left: Massaman Curry. Middle: Drunken Noodles, On the right: Pad Thai.
Thai Better
Tucked into a modest strip mall on Redwood Road, Thai Better has become a neighborhood favorite for its fragrant curries, tangy papaya salad and warm service. Locals appreciate that spice levels are adjustable and dishes are made to order. The restaurant’s location near Pioneer Crossing makes it accessible for both Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain residents. With temperatures rising, a bowl of coconut‑rich tom kha or a plate of fresh mango chicken is the perfect way to end a sunny day.
Around the Point: Things to Do this Week
Kaleb Austin Live at Redemption Bar & Grill
When: March 27 (Fri), 9 p.m.
Where: Redemption Bar & Grill, Herriman
Country singer Kaleb Austin plays a 21+ show at Redemption Bar & Grill.
Super STEM Saturday — Spring into Science
When: March 28 (Sat), 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point, Lehi
Explore ten hands‑on stations about seeds, weather and rainbows at Thanksgiving Point.
Getting Bigger Results from Smaller Gardens
When: March 25 (Wed), 7 p.m.
Where: Vista Room, Cedar Hills
Meredith Seaver teaches how to maximize small garden plots.
An Evening of Storytelling
When: March 25 (Wed), 7 p.m.
Where: SCERA Center for the Arts, Orem
Storytellers from the Utah Storytelling Guild share family‑friendly tales.
UVU Softball vs BYU — Crosstown Clash
When: March 24 (Tue), 6 p.m.
Where: Wolverine Softball Field, Orem
Utah Valley University hosts BYU in a non‑conference softball showdown.
Provo Winter Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, January 10 – April 4, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Provo Towne Centre Mall, Provo
The Provo Farmers Market continues indoors for the winter, featuring local produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, and handcrafted items. It’s an easy, weatherproof way to support local vendors during the colder months.
Looking for an Easter egg hunt near you?
Lehi’s Easter Eggstravaganza
When: March 27 (Fri), 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. ; March 28 (Sat), 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Osier Park, Lehi
Teen flashlight egg hunt Friday evening and a pre‑registered egg hunt on Saturday morning with a vendor market.
Saratoga Springs Easter Egg Hunts
When: March 27 (Fri), 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. ; March 28 (Sat), 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Patriot Park, Saratoga Springs
After‑dark teen hunt Friday; Saturday morning egg hunts by age group with food trucks and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Alpine Easter Egg Hunt
When: March 28 (Sat), 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Creekside Park, Alpine
A community egg hunt in Alpine’s Creekside Park.
Eagle Mountain Youth & Teen Egg Hunts
When: March 28 (Sat), youth hunt at 10 a.m.; teen hunt at 9 p.m.
Where: Cory B. Wride Memorial Park, Eagle Mountain
Morning hunts with age‑grouped areas and an adaptive field, plus a nighttime teen hunt with DJ and food trucks.
In case you missed it…
Provo Mall makeover advances
Provo’s planned mixed‑use redevelopment of Towne Centre mall heads to a city‑council vote April 14 after rezoning approval.
Historic markers in Lehi
The Lehi Historical Society will unveil eleven historical plaques throughout the year to commemorate local pioneers.
More infoLake caution
Utah Lake managers remind visitors that warm weather can spur harmful algal blooms; water‑quality grants aim to address the issue.
More info
That’s it for this issue of The Point.
If you spot something interesting, confusing, or very Utah County — a new restaurant, construction mystery, or rumor that needs checking — hit reply. The best tips make it into next week’s issue (with credit, if you want it).
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