Nestled beside the Jordanelle Reservoir, the town of Hideout is a small, secluded community that can be hard to reach by bike, bus or on foot. Town leaders hope to change that.
Last week, Hideout announced it was awarded a $150,000 grant from the Utah Department of Transportation to develop a comprehensive transportation master plan that will focus on addressing multi-modal transportation options through town and the surrounding area.
It’s one step closer to transportation and safety goals outlined in the town’s developing General Plan, according to Hideout Town Administrator Jan McCosh.
“We actively pursued (the grant) because we have so much growth in the area, and we don’t want to repeat some of the errors of, say, Kimball Junction,” McCosh said, referencing high traffic. “Because of the generous size of the grant, we have excellent facilitators who have already reached out to us.”
McCosh said the transportation master plan will serve as a way to connect Hideout with nearby regions and municipalities. That includes the Silver Meadows annexation area, which will have multi-modal routes into “older” areas of Hideout.
The master plan will address issues such as traffic and safety — necessary topics in transportation planning. Mayor Ralph Severini said the grant is a solid “first step.”
“You want planning to be your foundation,” Severini said. “We’re already working with UDOT in co-funding and co-delivering some safety improvements in town on (S.R.) 248 at the Ross Creek entrance.”
Severini said that the high-traffic area has been a safety concern for residents.
“We’re doing some things with UDOT productively already. So, I just see this as a next stage of … multi-modal planning,” Severini said.
The mayor has already met with UDOT officials such as Carlos Braceras to talk safety, public transportation, traffic and trails. When it comes to the $150,000 grant from UDOT, Severini said the first step, aside from planning, is addressing the most pressing needs.
“I think it begins with integration of our community with other communities,” Severini said. “We also have a lot of priorities going forward with the town in terms of where the new developments are occurring.”
That includes the Richardson Flat and Silver Meadows development areas.
McCosh also said the increased number of trails will benefit the active community members.
“We have a lot of active outdoor enthusiasts, a very Park City demographic who enjoy the outdoors. They enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and we want to make trails available for active transportation,” McCosh said.
Thinking bigger, Severini said even water transportation is under consideration, given the town’s proximity to the Jordanelle Reservoir.
“I’ve noticed the decrease in quality of life as we spend more time in traffic,” McCosh said. “I think getting the traffic plan right is very important for quality of life for all of us in the region, so I’m really pleased about this grant.”
Although Hideout is small, McCosh said residents’ needs are just as important as those in larger areas.
“We’re a tiny city, and (this grant) allows us to professionally address traffic concerns,” McCosh said.
Severini agreed.
“It’s such a critical issue for all of us,” Severini said.