Latest I-84 interchange scoping report shows mixed responses

The latest UDOT I-84 interchange study scoping report has been released.

UDOT is preparing an Environmental Assessment to evaluate improvements to the roadway network between I-84 and SR-167 (Trappers Loop Road) in Mountain Green.

In April the team sent letters to 20 federal state and local agencies to inform them about the EA and to request their aid in identifying resources in the vicinity of the study area or concerns.

UDOT then held an in-person meeting May 1 at Mountain Green Middle School where about 135 people attended. After the open house there was a 30-day public comment period, and 169 comments were received.

Most public comment was positive but there was a significant number of requests to keep exit 92 open with suggestions to improve existing infrastructure including making the exit a full interchange, widening SR-167 and Old Highway Road, and improving traffic flow at the Trappers Loop Road and Old Highway Road intersection.

Others expressed support for removing the exit for that action because they feel it will cut down on traffic and improve road safety in the area on Old Highway Road by separating local traffic from through traffic.

Morgan County Manager Kate Becker shared the report with county commissioners at their Aug. 20 meeting and added her own perspective.

Exit 92 is the hot topic on the project right now, she said. “At this point they're saying there's not the density to justify the two … There may not be today but then you’re going to remove infrastructure you may have to replace in six years. 

This issue is important to Morgan County and to local fire officials, so she has requested a meeting between them and the project team, Becker said.

“Their biggest concern was if we have to shut down the canyon. Right now, you can go from 200 to 700 up to Old Highway and we have essentially a relief valve for emergency services,” she said. “If we shut down that we might be essentially removing our emergency service relief valve … It just doesn't make sense to destroy infrastructure that's one, already paid for and two, isn’t harming anyone in the estimation of those of us that don’t live on that street.”

It has been difficult for Becker to represent Morgan County’s interests in the process, Becker told commissioners. With the project team often dropping the ball in making sure Becker gets invited to the team meetings, Becker said. 

“I will honestly say they have not been very good about communicating meetings,” she said. “The last two they have called me 5 minutes in [and have said] we forgot to put you on the [list] and then there I am: “Okay I'll drop what I’m doing and hop on because this is like the number one topic in our county so I’ve got to be there; I have been on the team that’s over that.’”

Since Morgan County was the entity that secured the $5 million necessary to have the study done, that was not appropriate, Commissioner Jared Anderson said.

“We came up with these monies, not Wasatch Front Regional Council,” he said “… Our lobbyists and us went and got it from the legislature. It was appropriated directly to do this report. It did not go through Wasatch front Regional Council, so we worked hard to get these dollars and now we’re trusting them to manage it correctly. we got these dollars; we need the Evite to the meeting.”

The full scoping report can be found at udotinput.utah.gov/i84mountaingreen.