UDOT PUBLIC HEARING WEDNESDAY JULY 30TH 5:30-7:00 PM
UDOT Proposal for an RCUT Intersection Open House will be held Wednesday, July 30th at 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the city office. This will be a public education meeting on what UDOT would like to do to improve safety and traffic flow at the intersection of Center Street and Highway 89. An RCUT intersection does not allow travel straight through the intersection (going north or south) and does not allow left turns. An RCUT intersection would redirect traffic on Center Street trying to go straight through the intersection (north and south) to make a right turn, then an eventual U-turn, then another right turn to get back onto Center Street. Those wanting to turn left at this intersection would be forced to make a right turn instead, then change lanes to make a downstream U-turn. UDOT believes that this type of intersection would reduce traffic conflicts and crashes.
However, city officials have received many negative comments regarding this type of intersection. Farmers moving farm equipment across the highway, drivers who are pulling equipment trailers, boats, horse trailers, campers, etc., across the highway, and semi-truck drivers have expressed concerns about being able to negotiate the U-turn.
Your comments and opinions are very important, and we encourage you to attend this meetings to give input and be an informed voter and citizen!
Does this proposed construction project enhance the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians at this intersection after its completion?
If not some may conclude that UDOT has failed at achieving their mission statement.
They just put in one of these in Smithfield. It is terrible. Not only do you have heavy traffic still, but now it is combined with forced U-turns and traffic is condensed into those U-turn areas. It is so unsafe and very frustrating for those who are forced to use them.