A million in federal funding will be used to improve roadway and pedestrian safety across the Wasatch Back, and officials are seeking community input to help them receive even more money.
Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), which serves Summit, Wasatch and Utah counties, received $1 million last year as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program — a $5 billion, five-year federal initiative established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The money was used to commission a study as well as develop a comprehensive “safety action plan” to help officials prepare for future improvements and reduce roadway fatalities. MAG will be able to pursue additional funding opportunities for projects using the Safe Streets for All grant once the action plan is in place.
“Those implementation grants mean we can actually build infrastructure. We can build new road diets or whatever it takes to improve safety based on what the action plan says,” said Summit County Transportation Planning Director Carl Miller.
Consultants hired by MAG will meet with the public on Thursday for a virtual open house where they’ll provide an overview of the grant program and solicit feedback from residents about their top concerns.
MAG reported 212 fatalities between 2016 and 2020. People driving through the Snyderville Basin often see vehicles speeding along S.R. 224, Coalville residents report near collisions between pedestrians and motorists in city crosswalks, and three students in Heber City have been struck by cars this year.
There will be maps marked with hot spots for crashes and other dangerous locations based on years of data as well as a look at the factors, such as distracted driving or bad weather, that may contribute to accidents.
However, Miller said the public discussion will provide an analysis of the information collected. Motorists who regularly drive might point out a dangerous intersection where a crash is bound to occur, while bicyclists and pedestrians could know of a hazardous crossing in need of improvements.
Projects focused on improving roadway safety for vulnerable populations such as school children, senior citizens or those living in rural areas will be prioritized by the federal government.
Miller said the action plan is still in the early stages. Officials will develop a concept-level plan with countermeasures for how to improve targeted roadways. Two to three project locations will likely be chosen in each of the three counties MAG represents. Then, the organization will have to apply for the implementation grants.
County staffers have a few locations they think need work, but Miller said they’re going into the event without having made any decisions. He affirmed the public will have a major influence on what is pursued for funding.
“We want to make sure we’re building a solution that the community wants,” Miller said.
The Transportation Department often tries to provide solutions to problems highlighted by the community. For example, officials installed pedestrian traffic beacons at the roundabout near Ute Boulevard and Landmark Drive after a Park City High School student raised concerns about crossing at the intersection.
Still, the event on Thursday will be the first–time staffers engage in outreach at such a high level with a large amount of funding available. The federal government can distribute $1 billion a year through 2026 with awards ranging from $100,000 to $25 million.
Utah received $700,000 in grant funding this fall for Uintah County, Moab and Richmond to develop action plans as part of the program.
The virtual open house will be from 6 to 7 p.m. on Zoom. MAG and its consultants will outline the grant program and collect feedback from the public. Visit https://bit.ly/3TjIdX5 to participate.