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UTAH COUNTY -- It's an unintended consequence of the new alternative route for Utah County drivers. Since the opening of Pioneer Crossing, crews have kept busy cleaning up road kill.
The road from Saratoga Springs to I-15 in American Fork is a big hit for commuters living west of Utah Lake. It was built in an area that previously was mostly open fields. As soon as it opened in August, drivers started noticing a lot of small animals trying to cross the road and getting hit.
The Daily Herald reports UDOT has received a few phone calls and e-mail from concerned residents. UDOT spokesman Scott Thompson says it will take some time for the wildlife to understand the change in their environment and the danger in crossing the road.
UDOT doesn't keep a count of carcasses found along the road, but a lot of cats have been hit as well as small wildlife.
The speed limit on Pioneer Crossing is 45 mph. UDOT says speed does not appear to be a factor in the amount of animals getting hit.
