As Utahns hit the road for the Memorial Day weekend, the Utah Department of Transportation is alarmed about the number of traffic fatalities. 75 people have died on Utah roads this year, up from 72 at the end of May 2011. UDOT Director of Traffic and Safety Robert Hull says while the types of accidents have been across the board, there’s one recurring theme.
Bicyclists in Salt Lake City have a new tool to help them explore where and how to ride. This morning, the city launched a website with maps, information and safety tips at BikeSLC.com. Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator Becka Roolf says the site will also highlight several upcoming projects, like a cycle track that will be implemented along a portion of third east later this summer.
A new job title is in store for Denice Graham, the Utah Department of Transportation’s former Civil Rights Manager who was wrongfully terminated last year. Late last week, Graham accepted a new position with the state as a human resource analyst, and was reimbursed for the legal fees she paid while fighting her termination.
The Sugar House streetcar line stretching from the heart of the Salt Lake City neighborhood to the TRAX station on 2100 South will be lined with green space, thanks to a vote of the city council Tuesday night. Council Chair Soren Simonsen, who represents the neighborhood, says the nearly $7 million dollars in funding will contribute to a grand vision.
Three downtown TRAX stops will close for two-and-a-half weeks beginning Saturday as Utah Transit Authority workers connect the Airport TRAX line to the existing system. Spokesman Gerry Carpenter says every station west of EnergySolutions Arena will be affected, including the Planetarium, Old Greek Town and Salt Lake Central stops.
Salt Lake County is asking for the public’s advice on transportation issues in Mill Creek Canyon at an open house today. Transportation engineer Andrea Pullos says they’ve got a lot of ideas to share on how to manage parking in the canyon, whether it’s a paid parking system or signs that direct users to different trailheads when the lots are full to disperse traffic.
With construction on the line more than 90 percent complete, the Utah Transit Authority has announced December 10th of this year as the opening for its new Frontrunner line from Provo to Salt Lake City. Spokesman Gerry Carpenter says that’s two years ahead of schedule.
Have you ever wondered where the worst drivers are in Utah? The Utah Department of Public Safety has released a study that ranks Duchesne County at the top of the list, followed closely by Salt Lake and Weber counties. Research Analyst Gary Mower says the report, based on 2010 data, ranks counties based on categories like the rate of crashes and the rate of seatbelt use for those involved in crashes.
While this winter’s mild weather hasn’t been kind to skiers, it’s definitely helping out Utah’s largest transportation project. Utah Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tania Mashburn says workers on the I-15 CORE Project, which stretches from Lehi to Spanish Fork, have been able to do a lot of construction that otherwise would have to wait until later in the year.
A Utah Transit Authority spokesperson says the organization is examining ways to make its TRAX lines safer following another pedestrian fatality this morning in West Valley.
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