Today on Downtown SLC, host Jason Mathis speaks with Robin Hutchinson, Transportation Director for Salt Lake City. They discuss Hutchinson’s efforts to innovate for commuters of all stripes, and look at the present and future of transportation in our urban center – from protected intersections to well-timed traffic lights and beyond.
Hosted by Jason Mathis from the Downtown Alliance, âDowntown SLCâ was a half hour, weekly show that discussed the people, the places and the events shaping Utahâs urban center. It ran from 2013 to 2017. Produced by KCPW Studios
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1 Comments
In business the first thing that you are taught, is to response to a letter in a timely manner. Well, I am not sure of some of our elected officials, city employees or State Directors have the same feelings that I do I sent out a letter to Carlos Braceras , Ralph Becker, Karen Hale, Robin Hutcheson, Scott Vaterlaus
Tim Doubt regarding the traffic failure around the Capitol and the neighborhoods.. The only one that responded was Robin Hutcheson, with the following statements. (Emails included) I am sorry, I didnât see any real concerns from Robin Hutcheson emails that she really cares about the traffic problem that we have. Maybe if we were adding more bike lanes up around the Capitol, which might interest her. I thought that I might here from Mayor Becker, since he is running for re-election, boy was I wrong. And as for Tim Doubt, I personally met with Tim and a few other officers and he promised me that he would make sure that we would have a police presence up here. Yes, we did for a few days we had a few motor cops up here but not during the peak hours. And I was told by one of the motor officers that he was only scheduled for three days and that was it. The only city official that has followed through with his commitment is Detective Gregory Lovell.
This traffic fiasco is a total cluster, last night we must have had about 30 cars driving up De Soto to Girard and then down to Columbus to avoid the mess at 500 north. Then they realized that there is no exit so they turn around and speed back down De Soto. Also the intersection of De Soto was blocked because no one has the courtesy to let anyone else thru to make a left turn on De Soto to get home. Our wonderful UDOT and SLC Traffic Department might put some sort of advisory signage that there is no exit to Victory Blvd through this neighborhood.
After the construction is over on this wonderful fiasco that they call an intersection as well as the revamping of the circle around the capitol. It is not going to any better, wait until the first snow fall and all of the cars that are trying to get up or down 500 north, it is going to look like a new board game. BUMPER CARS. The traffic on De Soto is going to get worse because of the one way street on Columbus Street, someone really thought this through.
We havenât even heard from our City Council Member for this area. I donât remember seeing him for the last four years. Not sure how anyone gets elected because you donât see them out and about in the neighborhoods that they represent
I really donât expect anything to happen with this, because it will mean that you really care for the people that pay your salary up and around Capitol Hill and surrounding neighborhoods.
Vincent Kerzman
EMAILS FROM ROBIN HUTCHESON TO VINCENT KERZMAN
Hutcheson, Robin
Oct 23 (4 days ago)
to me
AT least since I have been here for the last few years, I know we have done at least one review of volumes, speeds and general conditions.
From: Vincent Kerzman [mailto:vkerzman@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015 10:02 AM
To: Hutcheson, Robin
Subject: Re: Traffic Concerns – DeSoto Street / Zane/ Girard
That is ok.. the next couple of weeks are crazy for me.. So don’t worry about.. This has been going on for 8 yrs now, so what is another 8 yrs..
One question, what issues have you been working on regarding the traffic concerns on Desoto and surrounding streets.
Vincent
On Fri, Oct 23, 2015 at 9:57 AM, Hutcheson, Robin wrote:
Oh I think Iâm going to disappoint you⊠I really am interesting in coming out there, but Iâm actually leaving town on an afternoon flight on Tuesday. Could I come out there next Wednesday the 4th at 4:00?
Sorry about my schedule.
Robin
From: Vincent Kerzman [mailto:vkerzman@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015 9:56 AM
To: Hutcheson, Robin
Subject: Re: Traffic Concerns – DeSoto Street / Zane/ Girard
Robin,
How about Tuesday around the same time, 4:00 pm, that way you could see the issues at hand.
I would rather meet with you and a engineer if you would like, I have dealt with your engineers and really don’t feel that I get a straight answer from them.
Let me know .
On Fri, Oct 23, 2015 at 9:42 AM, Hutcheson, Robin wrote:
I have a conflicting meeting at that time. We could look for another time, or I could ask one of my traffic engineers to visit with you. Up to you.
Robin
From: Vincent Kerzman [mailto:vkerzman@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015 9:41 AM
To: Hutcheson, Robin
Subject: RE: Traffic Concerns – DeSoto Street / Zane/ Girard
How about Monday around 4:00 pm
On Oct 23, 2015 9:39 AM, “Vincent Kerzman” wrote:
On Oct 23, 2015 9:35 AM, “Hutcheson, Robin” wrote:
I have responded to your concern in the past, Vincent. We have not turned a blind eye and have been working on issues on Capitol Hill for years.
Iâll come out there any time you want.
Robin
From: Vincent Kerzman [mailto:vkerzman@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015 9:35 AM
To: Hutcheson, Robin
Subject: Re: Traffic Concerns – DeSoto Street / Zane/ Girard
You know if you would have asked that a while back, I would have said yes. But, would rather have you all come here and see the real issues that we have on this street. Sitting in a office is like blinders on a horse, you only see what is in front of you and not what is around you.
You make the call.!
On Fri, Oct 23, 2015 at 9:30 AM, Hutcheson, Robin wrote:
Mr. Kerzman,
Would you like to visit us in person here in Transportation to review your issues?
ROBIN HUTCHESON, AICP
Director
TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
COMMUNITY and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
TEL 801-535-6630