Recently, UDOT unveiled a potential expansion of I-15 near downtown Salt Lake City through Davis County to reduce traffic congestion. This project has received significant attention and pushback from adjacent Salt Lake City neighborhoods who worry about displaced residents, increased pollution, and induced demand causing decreased walkability.
Smaller projects throughout the state deserve the same scrutiny. In my community of Kearns, UDOT is proposing raised medians to restrict left-hand turns along 5400 South from 4220 West to Northwest Avenue. This minor project would enhance safety for motorists but adds additional pedestrian barriers across the seven-lane road to the Kearns Library, a valuable community resource. When asked about including pedestrian signals, ADA accommodations, and bike lanes, representatives responded that because 20,000 vehicles pass through the area daily, this wouldn’t be feasible.
More vehicles pass Westminster College on 1300 East with only two lanes and bike accommodations.
To go further, raised medians increase travel distance for some motorists, thus increasing emissions. While air quality impacts are negligible, any minor decrease is welcome. Side roads would bear the burden of increased traffic, reducing walkability for surrounding areas. As we move into an era of increased warming and inevitably rising gas prices, UDOT projects should add equal weight to active and public transportation as car safety.
UDOT’s website states: “We are responsible for providing transportation choices through a multimodal transportation system that strengthens the economy and enhances quality of life in communities throughout the state.” If this were true every project study would have components built in for public and active transportation. Additionally, projects would not proceed unless air-quality benefits are demonstrated. The state Legislature should challenge UDOT to broaden its vision. Doing so would sincerely “enhance quality of life in communities throughout the state.”
Gray Thomas, Kearns