Traffic Safety

I’m still planning to provide an update on the proposed sale of our gas and electric utilities. I should have new information to share within the coming week. However, today I want to address a public safety concern. You may have heard last Thursday that there was a traffic accident on Cory Wride Memorial Highway (SR-73) and Sunset Dr. (where the new Black Ridge Elementary School is). A young lady was turning left onto Cory Wride Memorial Highway from Sunset and was hit broadside by oncoming traffic. Several residents have since shared their concern with me over this intersection. First I would like to say that my heart goes out to this young lady and her family. I ask that you join me in praying for her recovery and peace and strength for her husband and family. The traffic control mechanisms on Cory Wride Memorial Highway are planned for and paid for by UDOT. While Eagle Mountain has no ownership or jurisdiction over the highway, we have worked with UDOT to identify intersections which will need signals as we grow. This list was created some time ago and this intersection has already been identified on that list, though a timeline has not been established for when that may be built. On Friday morning after the accident I called the UDOT Region 3 director to discuss the concerns residents have brought up. UDOT is sending someone out to look at the intersection, and they will be getting back with me by the end of the week with their observations. When Black Ridge Elementary was being built, a traffic study was not completed because the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) and Alpine School District develop their properties under their own development guidelines. Fortunately, we have a positive relationship with both SITLA and Alpine School District, and we have asked that a traffic study be completed on Sunset Drive. I expect that we will hear back from them in a day or two. While I cannot mandate that UDOT put a signal at this location immediately, I am working to build a case for addressing the issues at that location as quickly as possible. I’ll keep you informed as conversations continue.