Utah

[triplemultiplex]

Inland Port?  The hell is that?
Do they mean like a distribution warehouse?

[US 89]

Oh, it's been a major issue in Salt Lake City politics in the past year.

Their website: https://utahinlandport.org/

And here are some more links which state a little bit of the controversy surrounding it:

https://www.ksl.com/article/46280718
https://fox13now.com/2018/07/16/deal-struck-over-inland-port-the-largest-economic-development-project-in-state-history/

[triplemultiplex]

Okay, so it's a bunch of distribution facilities.
They should really take another whack at the name, though.  When I hear "inland port", it sounds like an oxymoron.  Or worse, it sounds like they expect ships to be driving around on Great Salt Lake.  Because when I hear "port" I think "boats".  I doubt I'm alone.

I would think our Great Lakes ports would better fit the phrase "inland port".  Or any navigable river.  It should at least involve water.

[US 89]

As the 2019 legislative session gets under way, the annual changes to the state highway system have been proposed in HB 0157 as follows:

SR-85. From Route 15 westerly on 2100 North in Lehi to Route 68; then beginning again at Route 68 westerly on Porter Rockwell Boulevard; then northerly on Mountain View Corridor Highway to Route 173 4100 South in West Valley City.

SR-103. From Route 126 in Clearfield easterly on 650 North Street in Clearfield to Hill Air Force Base main gate the on and off access ramps on the east side of Route 15.

SR-193. From Route 108 in Clearfield east through 3000 West easterly through Syracuse, Clearfield, and Layton, past the south entrance to Hill Air Force Base to Route 89.

SR-194. From Route 15 westerly on 2100 North Street in Lehi to Route 68.

SR-231. From Route 89 in Fairview northerly via Main Street to Route 31.

[Rover_0]

So SR-85 will go south and end at SR-73 in Saratoga Springs, with 2100 North becoming something new altogether (SR-194). I'm still not sure what, if anything, UDOT has planned for SR-73, it's not going to follow the 2100 North route, because there's no way such a major route be split up the way SR-73 has been.

Also, I'm not sure why we have SR-231, which is literally a block long (the planned legislative description for it might be longer than the actual route lol), and SR-137 which has a 0.5-mile sure that also carries the 137 number. Be more consistent, UDOT!

[Kniwt]

Work is scheduled to begin February 11 on I-15 between Exit 13 (Washington Parkway) and Exit 16 (UT 9), and on the short segment of UT 9 before Exit 1:
https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/02/05/mgk-udot-set-to-add-lanes-expand-bridges-at-exit-16-interchange-on-i-15/

- Addition of a second lane to the I-15 northbound exit ramp to eastbound SR-9.
- Addition of a second lane to the SR-9 westbound entrance ramp to southbound I-15.
- Addition of another lane on westbound SR-9 between Coral Canyon interchange and I-15 entrance ramp.
- Addition of a third southbound lane on I-15 between SR-9 and Exit 13.
- Improvement of curves and speeds on all ramps.
- Reconstruction to widen and lengthen bridges on I-15 over SR-9.
- Extension of northbound I-15 truck lane through the interchange.

UDOT project page: https://www.udot.utah.gov/projectpages/f?p=250:2007:0::NO::P2007_EPM_PROJ_XREF_NO,P2007_PROJECT_TYPE_IND_FLAG:9192,A

[Great Lakes Roads]

The ban on trucks along Legacy Parkway (UT 67) is due to expire January 1 of next year, as is the ban on expanding the freeway beyond four lanes. Those prospects have upset a lot of area residents (although the agreement -- and its expiration date -- are well documented), and The Salt Lake Tribune reports on a meeting attended by about 250 people.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/01/17/standing-room-only-crowd/

... Controversy over Legacy threatens to end a 15-year truce among many adversaries. Its special rules were implemented as a limited-time compromise to allow building the freeway after lawsuits by environmental groups had halted it by arguing early plans did not adequately protect Great Salt Lake wetlands and wildlife.

Many residents now especially worry that the new inland port being planned west of Salt Lake City International Airport could turn Legacy into a busy freeway full of big rigs at all hours, increasing noise and air pollution in their neighborhoods.

... Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, said he plans to introduce legislation to extend the truck ban for 2.5 years. He doubts he can pass a permanent ban because of the need to handle extra traffic from the inland port. Even with just pushing a temporary ban, "I can't tell you with a lot of certainty that I can get it done."

It's not going to happen for now... push it down for another five years...

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/02/26/committee-kills-second/

[sparker]

Okay, so it's a bunch of distribution facilities.
They should really take another whack at the name, though.  When I hear "inland port", it sounds like an oxymoron.  Or worse, it sounds like they expect ships to be driving around on Great Salt Lake.  Because when I hear "port" I think "boats".  I doubt I'm alone.

I would think our Great Lakes ports would better fit the phrase "inland port".  Or any navigable river.  It should at least involve water.

If it's in the Wasatch Valley -- and it's a major project proposal -- you can bet your bottom dollar that UP, the sole major RR serving the state, is lobbying hard for this to happen, if only to relieve pressure on their major west-to-east artery via Tucson and El Paso; the collection point for that company's "trident" to the ports of Los Angeles, Oakland, and Portland/Tacoma/Seattle is the Valley. 

[Kniwt]

On UT 9 between La Verkin and Zion National Park, UDOT has recently added (they all have "19" stickers on them) "MPH" plates to all the Speed Limit 65 signs ... but only to the 65 signs, not any of the others.

I'm assuming this is for the benefit of the growing number of international visitors to Zion, but it seems like a strange way to do it.

[US 89]

Speaking of SR 9 and Zion:

SPRINGDALE, UT – The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway was closed the evening of March 2, 2019, after reports of an active rockslide on the switchbacks below the tunnel. The area was assessed in the morning of March 3, 2019. A retaining wall failed and eight feet of the road is severely undercut east of the 1st switchback. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Tunnel from the East Entrance to Canyon Junction, is closed until further notice.

Due to this storm, access to Canyon Overlook Trail, near the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, is closed. Several canyonneering routes have also been closed because they are normally accessed from the closed road. These include Keyhole, Canyon Overlook, Pine Creek, Spry, Clear Creek, Fat Man’s Misery, and Lodge Canyons. The East Rim Trail head is accessible from Zion’s East Entrance. Staff are currently checking trail conditions on the remaining trails.

Alternate east and west driving routes are available via Highway 59 from Hurricane, Utah to Fredonia, Arizona and Highway 14 from Cedar City, Utah to Long Valley Junction and Highway 89. People coming from Interstate 15 to the Park may access the Park as usual by traveling east on State Route 9 through Springdale.

This looks like it's going to be a medium to long-term closure.

Also, earlier this week there was a story about boulders the size of motor homes falling onto SR 128 east of Moab.

Clearly, this has been quite a wet winter for this area, and I'm wondering if more spring flooding will be an issue once some of the snow in the higher terrain starts melting off. St. George had a flash flood warning yesterday, which is exceptionally rare this time of year (much more common during monsoon season). In addition, the Santa Clara River exceeded flood stage, and the Virgin got quite close.

[US 89]

The good news is that SR 9 is now partially re-opened through Zion.

The bad news is that it's currently one lane only, controlled by a traffic signal. Oversize vehicles (greater than 7 ft 10 in width or 11 ft 4 in height) must still use a detour, and the entire road will likely have periodic closures for further repairs for a while longer.

[Rover_0]

The good news is that SR 9 is now partially re-opened through Zion.

The bad news is that it's currently one lane only, controlled by a traffic signal. Oversize vehicles (greater than 7 ft 10 in width or 11 ft 4 in height) must still use a detour, and the entire road will likely have periodic closures for further repairs for a while longer.

Still, the important thing is that progress is being made.

[US 89]

A recent article in the Salt Lake Tribune discussed an extra $371 million available for transportation projects and where it will be spent. The money comes from both recent sales tax increases and from other projects that wound up under the original budgeted amount.

Utah transportation leaders gets an unexpected gift: an extra $371 million to spend on some big projects

The money is likely to be divided up between the following projects:

- $200 million for the US 89 freeway upgrade in Davis County
- $140 million for the West Davis Corridor
- $17 million for a new bridge over the Jordan River on Porter Rockwell Blvd
- $10 million for improvements to SR 30 in western Cache County
- $3.35 million to build a bridge over the railroad tracks on 5600 West/SR 172 (hopefully that comes with a widening as well)

[Rothman]

Where'd the money come from?  If it was NY, it would be borrowed bonds.

[Kniwt]

UDOT is holding a public meeting this week (March 28) in Hurricane to get input on the upcoming upgrade of UT 9 to possibly become a freeway or expressway from I-15 to the new extension of UT 7.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is preparing a State Environmental Study (SES) to evaluate long-term transportation needs for a 6.5-mile-long section of SR-9 in Washington County, Utah between I-15 and the future Southern Parkway connection (approximately 2800 West). Improvements will evaluate converting the existing arterial roadway to a grade-separated facility that would provide a free-flowing movement for traffic commuting through the corridor as well as maintain accessibility to local roads. In preparing the SES, UDOT will evaluate the environmental and social impacts of the proposed SR-9 improvements.

UDOT project website: https://www.udot.utah.gov/sr9improved/

[US 89]

I had a look through that website. Looks like they've identified six locations for potential interchanges: Telegraph Rd, 5300 West, the Quail Lake development (with a new road coming up to connect to it from the south), Sand Hollow Rd, 3400 West, and the future Southern Parkway.

Also, here's a graphic with the potential alternatives to be studied for upgrading the road, which I found fascinating:



All I can say is, I really hope they don't go with the Express Lanes format, since from my experience there's quite a bit of traffic that gets on and off that road at various points. Installing a full C/D along the entire length looks costly but may work better than traditional interchanges in some areas, such as the closely spaced proposed interchanges at Sand Hollow and 3400 West.

I also hope they build the SR 7/9 interchange as a free-flowing system from the beginning, instead of a SPUI like at the other end of SR 7. Or if it doesn't warrant that kind of money right now, they better preserve space for that. Just ask I-15 and Bangerter.

[pdx-wanderer]

On UT 9 between La Verkin and Zion National Park, UDOT has recently added (they all have "19" stickers on them) "MPH" plates to all the Speed Limit 65 signs ... but only to the 65 signs, not any of the others.

I'm assuming this is for the benefit of the growing number of international visitors to Zion, but it seems like a strange way to do it.

That's good and all, but I wonder how anybody could manage to drive themselves all the way there from say, any international airport, while still thinking the speed limits were posted in km/h.

[US 89]

UDOT has now announced its top 10 construction projects for this year, some of which already have their own threads on this forum:

1. Mountain View Corridor — Salt Lake County, $335 million: This project will connect Mountain View Corridor to S.R. 201, linking this important north-south highway to an existing freeway and greatly improving access for drivers in western Salt Lake County. The extension of Mountain View Corridor from 4100 South to S.R. 201 includes four lanes (two in each direction) and 13 new bridges. Construction in April, and is scheduled to continue through summer 2021. Another segment of the Mountain View Corridor is also under construction this year from Redwood Road to S.R. 73 in Utah County.

2. I-15 Express Lanes — Davis and Weber counties, $169 million: This project will widen I-15 to four lanes in both directions by adding Express Lanes between Hill Field Road and Riverdale Road. Once complete, UDOT’s Express Lanes will be 80 miles long – the longest continuous Express Lanes in the country. Construction starts in May and will extend through 2020.

3. I-15 Northbound — Salt Lake County, $165 million: A new collector/distributor ramp system (similar to the ones from 900 South to 2100 South in Salt Lake City) will be added to northbound I-15 from 9400 South to I-215. In addition, a new northbound travel lane will be added from Bangerter Highway to 9400 South. Major construction starts later this year, with the project scheduled for completion in 2020.

4. I-15 Technology Corridor — Utah County, $415 million: UDOT is in the second year of this three-year project to widen I-15 from S.R. 92 to Main Street in Lehi. The freeway is being expanded to six lanes in both directions, and the interchanges at S.R. 92 and 2100 North are being reconstructed. A new bridge over I-15 at Triumph Boulevard, and new one-way frontage roads east and west of I-15, are already open. This project is scheduled to wrap up in late 2020.

5. I-15 Southbound — Salt Lake County, $180 million: Work continues on the I-15 Southbound widening project. Crews have already opened a new southbound lane on I-15 from 7800 South to 12300 South. This year, crews are extending the new lane from 2100 South to 12300 South, and reconstructing southbound ramps at the I-15/I-215 interchange in Murray to reduce delays and help traffic flow more efficiently between the two freeways. Construction is scheduled through 2020
.
6. U.S. 40 — Wasatch County, $37 million: UDOT is extending the westbound passing lane on U.S. 40 by five miles near Strawberry Reservoir, and repaving an 18-mile section of the highway from Daniel’s Summit to Soldier Creek. Crews will also add a wildlife crossing to reduce collisions between vehicles and animals. Work begins this month and is scheduled for completion in summer 2020.

7. I-80/S.R. 36 Bridge Replacements —Tooele County, $37 million: This project is replacing the S.R. 36 ramp bridge over I-80, and two I-80 bridges over the Union Pacific railroad tracks near the S.R. 201 junction. Work continues from last year and is scheduled to be complete in 2020.

8. Southern Parkway (S.R. 7) — Washington County, $75 million: The final segment of the Southern Parkway will extend from Sand Hollow to S.R. 9. Once this new section is complete, Southern Parkway will run 27 miles from I-15 south of St. George to S.R. 9 near Hurricane. Crews will be working on this project starting this summer and continuing through 2020.

9. I-15 Exit 16 — Washington County, $29 million: UDOT is rebuilding the I-15 interchange at S.R. 9, including widening I-15 and S.R. 9, as well as the on- and off-ramps, to improve access to northern Washington County and Zion National Park. Construction started in February and will be finished this fall.

10. I-80 Joint Repairs — Salt Lake County, $3 million: This bridge maintenance project will repair and replace bridge joints at several locations along I-80 between State Street and 1300 East. Drivers should plan for moderate to heavy delays during nights and weekends, as several lanes will be closed on I-80 while work is underway. Construction starts later this spring and will wrap up in late summer.

[US 89]

UDOT is building yet another CFI, this time in Saratoga Springs on Pioneer Crossing (SR 145) at the intersection with Redwood Road (SR 68). Construction is ongoing and should be done by this fall. I guess it sort of replaces the ones on Bangerter that got removed for interchanges.

Unlike many of the existing CFIs in the state, this one will have right-turn lanes on the outside of the CFI ramps, bypassing the traffic signal. The bike lane design in this intersection is also something I haven't seen before.

Project website

Link to video if the one above doesn't work

[Kniwt]

KSTU Salt Lake City reports today on the upcoming closure of UT 92 at I-15 to remove the DDI that was installed in 2012.
https://fox13now.com/2019/09/19/drivers-frustrated-over-upcoming-weekend-closure-of-s-r-92-at-i-15/

UDOT is continuing projects along the I-15 tech corridor with a full closure of SR-92 at I-15 to undo the Diverging Diamond Interchange – leaving some drivers feeling frustrated.

"It's crazy, bumper to bumper!"  exclaimed Tom Smith as he filled up his tank at the local gas station. "We're all here and stuck in the middle of it, it's not good!"

... UDOT said the project is part of their efforts to increase traffic flow and give drivers more options.

On top of reconstructing the interchange, they will also be adding a new off-ramp from southbound I-15 to the frontage road, alongside a free-flowing U-turn lane on the Triumph Boulevard bridge to help drivers get from the southbound to northbound frontage road.

[Kniwt]

St. George News has this in-depth look at early transportation history in southwest Utah and northwest Arizona, including photos of the Bigelow Tunnel and I-15 under construction in the Virgin River Gorge:
https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/09/22/raw-washington-county-transportation-history-day-turning-desperate-pieces-of-road-into-smooth-thoroughfares/

... Old-timers will remember that one of the ways that was accomplished was blasting a tunnel through a hill northeast of St. George to allow Highway 91 to run directly between St. George and Washington. Before the tunnel's completion, residents had to travel along the base of Foremaster Hill to travel between the two cities.

The tunnel, known as the Bigelow Tunnel and by other names, including "Middleton Tunnel"  and "Washington Tunnel"  was just less than 500 feet long, 21 feet wide and 13.5 feet high. On the main thoroughfare from the late 1920s to the early 1950s, the tunnel was busy. The WCHS website reports that in 1948, the average hourly traffic was 585 vehicles.

... The completion of I-15 through Utah's Dixie in 1973 truly linked the region to the world. Local leaders knew that deciding where the freeway would be was an important decision and would have a huge impact on the county's future. County commissioners and St. George Mayor Clinton Snow met with Utah Department of Transportation planners to stress the need for offramps leading to Hurricane, Washington City, and both the north and south entrances to St. George.

[US 89]

From KSL: Gas hybrids no longer qualify for express lane

A law expired Sept. 29 that allowed gasoline-powered hybrid vehicles to qualify for the Clean Vehicle Program. Moving forward, single-occupant gas hybrid cars with Clean Vehicle Pass stickers will no longer be able to travel in the Express Lane on the freeways, and drivers could face a hefty fine if caught doing so.

“Low emission and energy-efficient vehicles are generally hybrid vehicles that achieve a 50% or better in-city fuel economy or a 25% or better city/highway fuel economy compared to a similar gasoline-fueled vehicle,” according to the Utah Department of Transportation’s website. “There are 4,895 current low emission and energy-efficient vehicles with Clean Vehicle Permits and 1,078 on the waitlist. These vehicles will no longer qualify.”

“Back in 2005 when this law was enacted, hybrid vehicles were much less common than they are right now,” said UDOT Spokesperson John Gleason.

Despite what the first paragraph says, these vehicles are still allowed in the express lanes; they just have to pay like any other car -- they aren't eligible for the C Decal license plate anymore.

[Kniwt]

The Salt Lake Tribune reports today that, effective January 1, the 15-year agreement banning trucks from Legacy Parkway, imposing a 55mph speed limit, and preventing expansion beyond four lanes, will expire.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/10/18/legacy-parkway-will-see/

Neighbors of Legacy Parkway lost a last-ditch attempt Friday to extend a 15-year deal designed to protect adjacent Great Salt Lake nature preserves by banning big-rig trucks and allowing just a 55 mph speed limit and only two lanes in each direction.

As they made pleas to the Utah Transportation Commission, the Utah Department of Transportation announced that it has legal power over that decision – not the commission – and said the truck ban will disappear Jan. 1 and, at the same time, the speed limit will rise to 65 mph.

[Revive 755]

KSTU Salt Lake City reports today on the upcoming closure of UT 92 at I-15 to remove the DDI that was installed in 2012.

First DDI removed in the US?

Really curious how this is the best design.  Seems there would be a way to keep the DDI while getting the one way frontage roads in.  Or it seems they should have switched to a SPUI.

[BigManFromAFRICA88]

KSTU Salt Lake City reports today on the upcoming closure of UT 92 at I-15 to remove the DDI that was installed in 2012.

First DDI removed in the US?

Really curious how this is the best design.  Seems there would be a way to keep the DDI while getting the one way frontage roads in.  Or it seems they should have switched to a SPUI.

I'm thinking something along the lines of one of the Phoenix SPUIs with frontage roads along I-17 (like at Camelback Rd) would work?