Summit County officials were pleased by what they heard, at a meeting earlier this week with the Utah Department of Transportation.
According to County Council Member Kim Carson, UDOT officials said they have changed their philosophy. Their roads are not just for automobiles anymore.
Carson said she got the word right from Chris Potter, a local government programs engineer for UDOT. The agency said it is committed to accommodating alternative transit, like bicycles, on its roads.
“We did talk specifically about State Route 32, and how we have continually requested that shoulders be added,” Carson explained. “At this point we haven’t seen the actual design that they’re proposing to do there, so we’ll have to look at that. But typically for UDOT’s shoulders, they have done like a gravel shoulder. But now they’re rethinking that, that in future projects they’re actually going to extend the asphalt, to provide that shoulder space. We haven’t seen a lot of it yet. But it was refreshing to hear the conversation.”
Carson said they were focused on a section of 32 in the Kamas Valley.
“We were talking specifically regarding their overlay project with the Kamas to Peoa section that we want to follow up on and check their design and see if it will in fact include more pavement,” Carson said. “But we did talk about the entire State Route 32.”
Carson also said she has heard of a specific safety concern for bikers, on Highway 248 headed to Kamas.
“There is a wide shoulder for the majority of that road,” Carson continued. “And then you hit the final downhill into Kamas, and where that UDOT roadshed is, the bike lane basically disappears. So, we’re gonna be following up directly with those who work on road design. I don’t know how much we can do at this point, but at least make sure they know we have the concern and see if there’s anything that can be done with re-striping that can be done there to help make it a safer area for those on their bikes.”
Carson added that providing space for bikes isn’t likely a big added expense for UDOT, since they already have the right-of-way.
