Save People Save Wildlife on Wednesday morning staged a small demonstration along the side of S.R. 224 as the state highway passes the McPolin Farm, urging officials to take broader steps to protect animals on the busy Park City entryway.
Lorelei Combs, the vice president of Save People Save Wildlife, said the demonstration was planned through Friday. She said the section of S.R. 224 is an especially dangerous place in the state for collisions between drivers and wildlife. Save People Save Wildlife wants either a wildlife underpass or wildlife overpass to be developed on S.R. 224 somewhere between the Meadows Drive intersection and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
One of the signs read, partially, “Shame on Mayor Worel not making wildlife passage a priority.” Another sign targeted High Valley Transit, claiming the system operates “wildlife assault buses” and that the “public demands protection for wildlife on SR 224 during and after road expansion.” One of the signs also referred to S.R. 224 as “wildlife slaughter row.”
The section of S.R. 224 along the Park City entryway is notorious for wildlife collisions. Carcasses are oftentimes seen along the side of the state highway. There is open space that provides habitat for animals on both sides of that section of S.R. 224. The collisions remain a strike against a community that sees itself as valuing wildlife.
State transportation officials are responsible for policies regarding S.R. 224. The Utah Department of Transportation in the fall of 2019 reduced the speed limit on a stretch of the entryway, from 55 mph to 45 mph. The section that was impacted included S.R. 224 in the vicinity of the McPolin Farm.
The state officials at the time of the reduction of the speed limit indicated the decision was designed to better guard against collisions between drivers and wildlife.
The mayor was unavailable for comment late in the week. City Hall released a prepared statement at the request of The Park Record about the issue.
“We have heard and acknowledge the concerns for wildlife in our community. However, when it comes to SR 224, it is a UDOT road and they make determinations on these matters,” the statement said.
The state Department of Transportation in the spring opted against pursuing a wildlife crossing along S.R. 224, citing the cost and contending such an improvement might not accomplish the intended purpose.
Combs said drivers were “very, very supportive” of the demonstration, honking horns as they drove by. Some pulled over to talk to her about the issue, she said, adding that bicyclists also showed their support.
“A lot of public response in favor of what we’re doing,” she said.
Combs said the people she talked to are “tired of seeing the carnage on the road.”
The S.R. 224 entryway is the primary route through the Snyderville Basin and into Park City, and it carries heavy commuter, visitor and resident traffic. Driver speeds on the state highway regularly climb well above the posted limits between Kimball Junction and Park City.