ALTA,
Utah, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In
recent statements, a spokesperson for the Utah Department of
Transportation (UDOT) stated that lawsuits challenging the decision
to build a Gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) prevent UDOT
from addressing traffic congestion problems in LCC until the
lawsuits are resolved. As the plaintiffs in these lawsuits, we the
Friends of Alta, Canyon Guard,
Save Our Canyons, and the cities of Salt Lake and Sandy, jointly
issue this statement that the lawsuits do not, and are not,
intended to prevent UDOT from using existing tools to reduce LCC
traffic congestion now. With more than $150
million appropriated by the Utah State Legislature for both
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon to solve the problem, we call on
UDOT to implement less impactful solutions like tolling, transit,
and traction laws now.
Kody Fox, Friends of Alta spokesperson, said that "In three
separate bills, HB488 (2024), SB0002 (2023) and SB277 (2017) the
Utah legislature has appropriated
well north of $150m to address Little
and Big Cottonwood transportation issues by restoring bus services
to previous levels, installing tolling and enforcement of traction
laws. We do not understand how implementing improvements whose
funding is separate and distinct from the Little Cottonwood Canyon
Gondola project could possibly be delayed by any of the
Gondola lawsuits." Clearly, restoring bus service to previously
provided levels does not require an EIS, and hence is not
restricted in any way by the current lawsuits.
Spencer Shaver, Executive
Director of Save Our Canyons, commented, "We welcome the
implementation of enhanced busing and tolling, as soon as possible.
Restoring ski bus routes and the number of ski buses
in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons to 1996 levels is a
wise move. Similarly, we encourage UDOT to study, and implement
enhanced traction restrictions, variable tolling rates and merge
metering to alleviate traffic congestion."
Laura Briefer, Director of the
Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, which manages the
Little Cottonwood Creek watershed to protect the public's drinking
water supply, explained. "We would welcome a constructive dialogue
with UDOT and all stakeholders in LCC on sensible transportation
solutions that do not require a new EIS or are enjoined by the
December 2023 lawsuits."
Canyon Guard's Craig Heimark
stated, "The coalition encourages UDOT to take actions that
fulfill the intent of the Legislation to provide enhanced
bus service, canyon tolling, a mobility hub, and resort bus
stops."
The coalition encourages UDOT to:
- Restore bus service to Little Cottonwood Canyon to at least
1996 levels, including restored routes (994 and 953) with
more buses and schedule frequency as demand dictates;
- Order electric buses now so they are available for
2025-26;
- Enhance resort bus stops in the parking lots (where shelters
currently exist) to ensure pedestrian safety;
- Provide winter snowplow parking in the canyon, or near the
mouth;
- Install vehicle tolling to incentivize public transit;
- Ban winter roadside parking adjacent to White Pine trailhead,
at Snowbird resort and
Alta ski area to smooth end of day
traffic flow;
- Create metering of vehicles entering downhill flow to speed
merging between Alta and
Snowbird; • Enact and enforce
Traction Laws, November 1 - May
1.
These measures will improve traffic congestion, increase public
safety, and impact the environment less, and at a far lower cost,
than the Gondola proposal in the ROD. Most are fully funded from
the Utah Bills cited, and most do not require significant physical
construction.
For more information, visit
CanyonGuard, SOC, FoLCC)
Media Contact: Craig Heimark,
craig@canyonguard.com
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/common-sense-coalition-urges-udot-to-use-existing-funding-to-solve-traffic-congestion-in-little-cottonwood-canyon-now-302117362.html
SOURCE Canyon Guard, Inc.