It's time for you to be the boss
There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Get involved now, and you could help define transportation in the Top of Utah between now and 2040. Those who don't take the time will be subject to whatever their neighbors decide.
So, good luck with that.
The Utah Department of Transportation hosted a couple of sparsely attended open houses last week in Clearfield and Ogden, giving interested residents a peek at what might happen with their roads in Davis and Weber counties over the next 32 years. The plans are mere suggestions right now, but will be stiffened over the next few months as Top of Utah residents and public officials weigh in on the alternatives.
The fact that so few people are participating -- so far, anyway -- means that those who do could have an out-size impact on the ultimate decisions being made regarding the blueprint of looming road projects. For example, in Weber County the proposed Hinckley Drive extension west between 1900 West and Midland Drive is controversial; if enough people don't want it, or disapprove of its currently envisioned configuration, they could alter the project significantly.
Likewise, the people of western Weber County who feel strongly about the proposed Legacy Highway's route and width -- four lanes or six? -- will help decide those variables if they comment. The people who don't will abdicate their chance to offer input.
Same goes for Davis County. The emphasis in this look ahead over the decades has to do with east-west corridors. Would you like to see a full I-15 interchange at 1800 North in Sunset, and a widening of that road west to the Legacy Highway? How about plans for Antelope Drive through Syracuse? What will 200 South and the expansion of State Road 193 look like? How many lanes do you want for 2000 West?
UDOT will literally be helping to shape development and travel patterns throughout the two-county area over the next 30-plus years according to what they hear from residents during the public comment period between now and June. Four versions of collected options are available on the state's Web site -- www.udot.utah.gov/daviswebereastwest/process.aspx. It only takes a few minutes to look at the options. Do that, and then call (388-1839) or e-mail (chulet@langdongroupinc.com) with your comments, reactions and/or suggestions.
"We aren't asking residents to choose one package," Andy Neff, UDOT public involvement coordinator, told Standard-Examiner reporter Mitch Shaw. "We want as much input from the public as we can possibly have so we can combine ideas and come up with a vision that is best for our area and our residents' needs."
So take a few minutes and help guide the future of your community. Opportunities like this don't come along very often.
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