ST. GEORGE — Two roads become one Tuesday morning as officials from St. George and Washington City cut the ribbon on the new George Washington Boulevard.
Formerly 1450 South in St. George and 3650 South in Washington City, a new segment of road previously called the 1450 South extension connecting the two roads was completed and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting.
The new segment of road runs east from 3000 East and makes a gradual southeast turn until it connects with the former 3650 South. The extension also runs across the front of the Latter-day Saints Red Cliffs Utah Temple where a central access point will eventually be built.
“It unifies our cities,” Washington City Mayor Kress Staheli said prior to the ribbon-cutting as he spoke about the significance of the newly renamed roadway. “The significance is in the connection between St. George and Washington City.”
For the time being, George Washington Boulevard runs from River Road in St. George and eventually dead ends in Washington City near the Southern Parkway. Forthcoming road projects involve a westward extension for River Road to Dixie Drive/Interstate 15 interchange. On the Washington City side, plans are in motion to connect the road with the Southern Parkway.
Both projects are funded and city officials are eager to see them completed.
“This is probably going to be one of the major east-west thoroughfares in both cities,” St. George City Council member Jimi Hughes said. “This new road really does connect the two cities.”
As for the new name of the city-connecting roadway, Staheli said it had been in the works between the two cities since the Red Cliffs Temple was originally announced. Officials debated over proposed names as they wanted the chosen name to reflect a sense of connection while also honoring local heritage, the mayor said.
Eventually, St. George Mayor Michele Randall suggested George Washington Boulevard.
“When the name was suggested, I think everyone recognized really quickly that that would be the most appropriate name,” Staheli said. Randall was unable to attend the ribbon-cutting due to illness.
The new name touches on local and American heritage with the name as both Washington City and Washington County were named after the Revolutionary War general and U.S. president. It also joins the names of both cities into one, Staheli added.
In addition to creating a new east-west corridor in the county between I-15 and the Southern Parkway, George Washington Boulevard is also anticipated to spur commercial and economic growth through the area and alleviate some of the congestion on local roads.
“This is a big project and a significant project,” Staheli said.
Photo Gallery
Washington City Mayor Kress Staheli speak about the newly renamed George Washington Boulevard, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
The new segment of road connecting 1450 South and 3650 South in St. George and Washington City. The two roads have been renamed as George Washington Boulevard, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
The new segment of road connecting 1450 South and 3650 South in St. George and Washington City. The two roads have been renamed as George Washington Boulevard, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
A sign noting the new name of 1450 South in St. George and 3560 South in Washington City, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
A traffic sign noting the new name of 1450 South in St. George and 3560 South in Washington City, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
Intersection of George Washington Boulevard and 3000 East, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler. St. George News
The ribbon cutting for the newly renamed George Washington Boulevard, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
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