ST. GEORGE — The Utah Department of Transportation is updating its long-range, statewide rural transportation plan and asking for the public’s input on how best to address the needs of the state’s rural transportation system and how it may be improved.
The plan covers a majority of the state and does not include metropolitan areas around Logan, along the Wasatch Front and St. George. With the exception of the aforementioned St. George metro area, all of Southern Utah is covered by UDOT’s long-range rural transportation plan.
The plan is updated once every four years and is used to help shape decisions regarding Utah’s rural transportation system needs for the next 25 to 30 years. These decisions are aided by the public input UDOT receives from state residents and other stakeholders, according to UDOT.
The current public input period runs through Aug. 5.
Throughout the development of this plan, a variety of rural state roads in need of transportation improvements have been identified, and the public is invited to share their ideas to solve these needs.
Some ideas may include adding travel or passing lanes, improving intersections, adding bike lanes or sidewalks, providing transit service, increasing signage, extending paved trails and more.
“This rural Long Range Transportation Plan process is essential in developing projects and other solutions for 25 years or more into the future. UDOT is committed to providing meaningful public engagement opportunities to ensure the best outcome for all Utahns,” Jay Aguilar, UDOT long-range planning manager, said in a press release. “While comments on the goals, needs and ideas are most helpful by August 5, the public is encouraged to provide input at any time throughout the process.”
Where and how to comment
The public is encouraged to visit the long-range rural transportation project website to share comments in the following ways:
- Provide ideas on the comment map. The map details state roads that are in need of transportation improvements and the planning team is interested in specific ideas of how to solve these needs.
- Respond to a quick survey about the planning goals.
- The public may also email the project team at [email protected] or call the project hotline at 385-360-1900.
Comment map
The interactive comment map for the long-range rural transportation plan already has a variety of comments posted to it.
In Southern Utah, there are a handful of comments regarding transportation needs in Washington County. Many of the comments address cycling infrastructure up state Route 9 and state Route 18 and the desired creation of a trail that can take riders from Interstate 15 all the way to Zion National Park.
Additional comments are spread across the rest of the five-county region with the majority focused in and around Cedar City and along SR-18.
In addition to requests for more active transportation-focused infrastructure and increased traffic safety measures, one commenter asked UDOT to consider using high-speed rail as a way to connect the southern and northern parts of the state.
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