“Roads are for people, not just for cars”
July 27, 2021
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by Maddie Melini Salt Lake Tribune, July 24, 2021 “We aren’t the first community to have ever experienced huge amounts of growth, but if we
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1) Comment (everyday if you can, set yourself a reminder). From now until October 17th, you can make a comment and it will go on public record. Go to UDOTs website: https://littlecottonwoodeis.udot.utah.gov/ EIS and click on the submit comment button.. Remember, Wasatch Blvd is getting overshadowed and citizens don't realize that it's about the gondola and Wasatch Blvd. In my meeting with Josh Van Jura (UDOT Manager), I noted serious safety flaws in UDOTs plans for Wasatch Blvd (see SNPs image below). UDOT is hoping to continue their report card of moving cars faster and in the meantime, they're making pedestrians an afterthought.
2) Write. Writing to the appropriations committee is where I believe we will make the biggest difference. They are the ones that will make the decision to fund the $600 million taxpayer dollar gondola project ($1 billion, if I'm being honest). When writing to members of the appropriations committee, remember to write to them individually and try not to make a blanket copycat statement, they catch on. You need to make a personal comment that is viable. Also, if you are so lucky, form a group of constituents and meet with Senator Kirk Cullimore or Representative Robert Spendlove in person if you are in their district. Neither have taken a defined position on the gondola and they are still saying they are "waiting for more information." They've had years to inform themselves on this decision and time is up! They hold powerful seats and they also sit on this particular appropriations committee. One last thought, you may also want to reach out to your city officials and let them know to keep fighting for our safety and livability as they meet with UDOT monthly about changes to Wasatch Blvd.
We need persons elected in Sandy & Cottonwd Hts who actively support preservation of our foothills and canyons. The following candidates deserve your financial support and your VOTE. VoteMonicaZ.com AaronDekeyzer.com EricKraan.com VoteEllenBirrell.com Watch for your Mail-in Ballot to arrive by mid-October. Immediately mark and return it!
3) Show up. Sign up to receive emails from Save Not Pave so that when we need people to show up for press conferences or at city councils, you'll know how to help.I only try to send emails if they have some weight to them. This is an easy way to keep you informed and it lets you know when the pressure is on and when we need to show up. For example, we were able to get the city to change code 14 in our Cottonwood Heights general plan that now states "Any redesign of arterials will have a speed limit of 35MPH within Cottonwood Height City Limits." This happened because there was a call to action to write to our city officials and show up at a council meeting at a particular pivoting point that tipped the scale for change in our favor. When we are many, we get heard.
Through political will citizens of Salt Lake Valley can maintain the option to drive personal vehicles without ruining the air shed, if we mix transit, walking &/or cycling into our mobility mix. Contact the Utah Legislature's Transportation Committee and let them know you need meaningful options in your community.
For community safety & health, we support UDOT in achieving their “Zero Fatalities” campaign by reminding them that 35mph or slower speed road design is the answer. The innumerable car, bicycle & pedestrian accidents can be reduced with a slower speed design, modern crosswalks and protected bike lanes (currently not part of UDOT’s plan). Through UDOT’s LCC EIS process, they have the chance to redesign SR-210’s Wasatch Blvd between the canyons which promotes Active Transportation and Transit. We’re asking UDOT to return to the 35-mph speed design they committed to July 2, 2019. Watch the video here ->
Taxpayers of Salt Lake Valley have already weighed in: “No high speed, multi-lane highway through remaining foothills.”
In 2018, UDOT received funding from the Utah State Legislature to “improve tourism”. UDOT chose to reduce peak ski season traffic on SR 210 from mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon up to Alta utilizing NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act).
To be successful in keeping UDOT from widening Wasatch Blvd into 6 to 7 lane arterial, we must ensure UDOT adheres to NEPA process. This means they must thoroughly screen every comment that meets their stated goal & they must make regional consideration.
by Maddie Melini Salt Lake Tribune, July 24, 2021 “We aren’t the first community to have ever experienced huge amounts of growth, but if we
Have you seen the latest outraged citizen coalition? Check out https://savethewasatchbench.org Are we going to demand city and county zoning be ethically enforced or “Turn
Related to UDOT’s June 25, 2021 Little Cottonwood Canyon Draft EIS, Save Not Pave particularly opposes the “Gondola with La Caille parking garage” because the
Ozone obligations (as published in Salt Lake Tribune, June 9, 2021) I believe many residents of Utah would be surprised to find out that the
“. . . Syracuse and Detroit, have committed to replacing stretches of interstate with more connected, walkable neighborhoods. Others, like New Orleans and Dallas, are
Read the full article here at Fox 13.
Petition to UDOT & Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC):
“Wider, more numerous, fast-moving vehicular lanes is NOT the answer with Utah’s Emergency Drought and severe air quality problems. Southeastern SL Valley needs a REGIONAL transit system not only for recreationalists to Millcreek, BCC & LCC but also for north/south employees, patients & students to U of U area. All stakeholders agree that Active Transportation & Express, cleaner transit is the answer to growing population & associated mobility issues.”
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