Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Public comment is being sought on the latest six-year transportation improvement plan for Salt Lake and several other counties along the Wasatch Front that totals more than $5 billion.
An interactive map of the 131-page list of projects in Salt Lake, Davis Weber, Box Elder, Tooele and Morgan counties proposed in the Wasatch Front Regional Council's draft plan is available online at wfrc.org.
The projects, paid for with federal, state and local funds, including a share of the $1 billion in state bonding for transportation approved by the 2017 Legislature, focus on roads and public transit as well as making it easier to hike and bike.
"We want input from the public on the program of projects in our region to make sure we're identifying what they think are the most important investments in their communities," the council's executive director, Andrew Gruber, said.
The public comment period on the 2018-2023 plan developed in collaboration with local governments, the Utah Transit Authority and the Utah Department of Transportation continues through Aug. 5.
Final approval by the council on the plan is expected in August.
Big-ticket items in the plan include $610 million for the first phase of the West Davis Corridor to deal with growth in western Davis and Weber counties, and $495 million for a section of the Mountain View Corridor, from 4100 South to state Route 201.
New freeway-style interchanges along the Bangerter Highway are also in the plan, as well as a new, $90 million I-15 interchange at 1800 North in Sunset near Hill Air Force Base and $96 million in upgrades to Ogden's 24th Street I-15 interchange.
Public transit projects are also part of the plan, including more than $2.5 million to upgrade two FrontRunner commuter rail engines to burn cleaner fuel to improve air quality.
The plan also calls for expanding the GREENbike bicycle share program in Salt Lake City and Ogden and funding the River Parkway Trail in West Haven that will complete the Golden Spoke trail system between Ogden and Provo.
Utahns can learn more about the plan at two open houses — one set for July 18 at the Ogden Intermodal Center, and the other on July 20 at the Salt Lake Central Station.
Both open houses will start at 4:30 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m., and the council will livestream portions of the gatherings on Facebook
