UDOT’s new freeway-sized sign in D4
A July 31st alert received by UDOT read:
"SR-190, SR-209 SR-210 Construction Alert 🦺 Date: 07/31/2024 4:11 PM Cottonwood VMS Logo Construction Update July 31, 2024 UPCOMING ACTIVITIES: Starting as early as Monday, August 12, crews will have short-term closures of the roadway while crews place the overhead sign boards over the traffic lanes. These closures will last up to 20 minutes each. Motorists should reduce speed and be prepared for sudden stopping traffic. CONTINUING ACTIVITIES: Crews continue drilling activities, trenching, and concrete work in and near the three work zones for conduit to supply power to the signs. During this work, travel lanes and shoulders may be closed. Motorists should reduce speed and be prepared for sudden stopping traffic within the work zone. Area residents can expect an increase in noise, dust, and vibration during this work. Project Overview: The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) will install three overhead variable message signs (VMS) and three traction warning signs on roadways that lead to the Cottonwood Canyons. Once installed, these signs will provide up-to-date traffic conditions in both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon. This information will assist motorists and visitors to the Cottonwood Canyons on the best location for parking and transit and ease traffic by providing early traffic information so motorists can make travelling decisions prior to entering the canyons."
Without consultation with Cottonwood Heights elected representatives or staff, we learned of the building of this freeway-sized, overhead VMS Variable Messaging Sign located adjacent Cottonwood Heights’ residential area just north of Bengal Blvd intersection on Wasatch Blvd/SR 210.
I continue to have many questions and concerns that Cottonwood Heights staff is unable to answer.. I will continue to work to find out the how and why and what can be done to mitigate the year round view obstruction, light pollution and unsightly subliminal message to motorists that ‘you are entering a commerical corridor’ instead of the residential neighborhoods of Cottonwood Heights.
At a time when UDOT could/should be working vigorously with Cottonwood Heights for calming/slowing of vehicles that plagues residents who live west and east of SR210 year round — especially in spring, summer and fall, I fear this sign sends entirely the wrong subliminal message to motorists.
Even if the creator of the sign idea had the good intention of communicating on snow mornings and peak ski weekend/holiday mornings, it leaves Cottonwood Hts with a monstrousity that, again, sends the wrong the signal to motorists that they are in a highway not a scenic boulevard at the gateway to two of Utah's most beautiful canyons.
Waiting for that first T-bone accident due to eleven residential streets and several driveways along Wasatch Blvd south of Big Cottonwood Canyon, or additional out-of-control vehicular incidents, or, god forbid, serious injury or death of pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist due to high speeds is something I know we all want to avoid.
I am working to get:
· Height of sign
· How does UDOT bypass entirely our ordinances and code related to maximum sign height, lighting restrictions
See more: https://cottonwoodheights.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=19.77_Outdoor_Lighting.
· Was view impairment for surrounding residents, to east and west, considered?
· Is this new sign tied directly to the building of gondola garage? Otherwise, the sign should have been placed on Ft Union Blvd for redirection of LCC or BCC traffic. All motorists coming from I-215 will have already seen the signage both on I-215 and, once exited, UDOT's new sign on SR 190 north of BCC.
· UDOT seems to be ignoring CH’s Wasatch Blvd Master Plan
· Did they work with Cottonwood Heights elected representatives & staff to make sure this sign fits with in the Cottonwood Heights master plan for Wasatch Blvd and the signage location is purposeful? If not, why not?
· How will this sign improve traffic & parking when a majority of motorists traveling to canyons will have already passed one of the two signs that are in commercial areas along SR 190 and SR 209?
· What parking area will this sign tell motorists to go to? “Little Cottonwood Canyon closed, please make a U-turn now" or "Park & Ride available at 9400 South Highland Drive. Please drive in the opposite direction of where you are trying to go for four miles."
There are many questions.
To be solution-oriented, please know that I am doing/will do all I can to get UDOT and Cottonwood Heights leadership to see the positive opportunities of preserving and enhancing a boulevard scenic gateway between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons that is slower, quieter, beautiful, inspirational and safer for motorists, pedestrians, runners, cyclists, school children and seniors. A place that is part of attracting locals and visitors alike to linger, recreate, dine, shop and spend money in Cottonwood Heights.