UDOT Proposal for SR-73: Freeway With Frontage Roads

Planning ahead and working toward solutions for our future transportation needs are vital elements in managing growth well. Eagle Mountain will need more roads with appropriate traffic controls and lanes to accommodate demand at peak usage. To address these challenges, we are working closely with UDOT on the S.R. 73 State Environmental Study (SES) to evaluate a Freeway with Frontage Roads concept that was proposed during a Corridor Planning Study in 2016. The Corridor Planning Study reviewed various transportation concepts while taking into consideration Eagle Mountain residents’ opinions. The Freeway with Frontage Roads concept was proposed for various reasons. First, it will reduce traffic congestion through the year 2040. Second, it solves both short- and long-term transportation needs. Additionally, it will accommodate future transit and is compatible with bike lane and trail improvements within Eagle Mountain and the rest of our community. The concept consists of one-way frontage roads in each direction, with a freeway in the middle between the frontage roads. The lower-speed frontage roads maintain access to local roads and businesses and serve as on- and off-ramps for the freeway. The middle freeway lanes allow commuters to bypass local roads, saving travel time and leaving less congestion on the frontage roads. The draft map of the concept on UDOT’s website shows proposed access connections, on- and off- ramp locations, traffic lanes and intersections. A public hearing will be held this summer where UDOT will show the refined alignment and hold a formal public comment period. I encourage Eagle Mountain Residents to attend to learn more, to ask questions and to submit any public comments. Changes like these are sometimes hard, especially for those whose homes are in the path of the proposed freeway. We regret the disruptions and inconveniences this expansion may cause. We will work with UDOT to do everything we can to minimize the negative impact on our residents as we plan for the future. UDOT and the City of Eagle Mountain look forward to hearing from you. More information about the public hearing will be posted in the future, please check UDOT’s website or join the Facebook group UDOT S.R. 73 Environmental Study for details.