On Jan 17th 2017 the City Council of Eagle Mountain rezoned an area of land purchased by Apline School District for the construction of a new High School. During the discussion the issue of the road, Pony Express Parkway, that feeds into the high school was discussed. In the proposal, there was a road study paid for by the Alpine School District by Hales Engineering. An engineering firm that is located in the near by city of Lehi Utah.
Mike Owens, a member of the Planning Commission, voiced concerns about the study that was done by Hales Engineering. His concern was based on the fact that the traffic study was performed when Ranches Academy was already out for Christmas break.
The executive summary of the study states the following: “This study addresses the traffic impacts associated with the proposed high school located in Eagle Mountain, Utah. The project site is located on the west side of Pony Express Parkway and approximately 1,500 feet north of Bobby Wren Boulevard in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Included within the analyses for this study are the traffic operations and recommended mitigation measures for existing conditions and plus project conditions (conditions after development of the proposed project) at key intersections and roadways near the site in the existing (2017) and future (2024) conditions.”
The study made the following suggestions or mitigation steps for “opening day” of school.
The intersection of High School Road / Pony Express Parkway is anticipated to perform at a poor LOS during the morning peak hour. It is recommended that an all-way stop be placed at the intersection of High School Road / Pony Express Parkway. Based on the MUTCD requirements for an all-way stop, the required volumes will likely be met to warrant an all-way stop. Additional data would be required to fully evaluate this warrant.
It is recommended that a southbound right turn pocket at the Pony Express / High School Road intersection be constructed with a storage length of 200 feet. A northbound left-turn pocket with a storage length of 200 feet will also be necessary at this intersection. This will require removing the existing raised median on Pony Express. An eastbound right turn pocket on the new High School Road with a storage length of 100 feet is also recommended at this intersection.
The study also points out that there will some issues in other areas before the school reaches full capacity. It suggests that two intersections be changed from four way stops to a different traffic pattern. It is suggested that a signal or round about be put in place at the intersection of Bobby Wren Boulevard and Pony Express Parkway. But once that intersection is removed, the same problem will move North and occur at the High School Road and Pony Express Parkway intersection. They then suggest that intersection also be changed to a signal or round about. The study recommends that these changes “take place with the widening of Pony Express Parkway to avoid additional costs in the future.”
Mayor Pengra recently wrote a blog post on just this subject, and identified several thing the city has planned to help mitigate possible traffic issues with the additional traffic created by the new High School. “Alpine School District has conducted a traffic study in order to establish a baseline for looking at the traffic needs. While traffic studies are not the end-all, be-all in preparing for an increase in traffic, they are a critical component for intelligent spending decisions. Based on the expected increases in traffic, the following projects have been identified as necessary to ensure effective traffic management and traffic flow.” Those projects details, descriptions, and timelines are listed on the Mayors Voice blog in the post entitled, “Transportation Improvements for City Center“. The projects will include Pony Express widening, Pony Express & Mid Valley Intersection Improvements, and the Sage Park Continuation.
Related Resources
1/17/2017 City Council Minutes
High School Documents, including traffic study
Mayors Voice
Hales Engineering
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.