Proponents of banning interstate truck traffic from Provo Canyon are moving ahead with a strategy they hope will eventually result in safer streets and cleaner air.
Thursday night, a coalition of citizens and government representatives from Provo, Orem and Utah County met to discuss issues and formulate plans for gathering information that would justify the ban.Proponents believe that once U.S. 189 through Provo Canyon is widened to four lanes, the highway will become a magnet for interstate truck traffic. They fear increased truck traffic would result in more fine-particulate, or PM10, pollution in Provo and Orem and in decreased safety for schoolchildren along 800 North in Orem and University Avenue in Provo.
Provo, Orem, Utah County and the Legislature have passed resolutions calling for the ban. The state's Air Conservation Committee, at the request of the Bureau of Air Quality, is investigating making an interstate truck ban part of the state plan for cleaning up PM10 in Utah County.
The Utah Transportation Commission, however, has balked at recommending the truck ban. Commission members say the Utah Air Conservation Committee first must complete studies documenting the impact of the truck ban on air quality.
Diesel emissions are responsible for about 12 percent of the PM10 measured in the Provo area. PM10 emissions have been shown to increase in areas where diesel vehicles are slowed by traffic lights, such as on 800 North, which soon will have five stoplights, and on University Avenue, which has 15.
To support the push for the ban, proponents have decided to conduct studies and gather additional information on the benefits of prohibiting interstate trucks from Provo Canyon and rerouting them to I-80 in Parley's Canyon, I-215 in Salt Lake County and I-15.
Donald Steinke, division administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, recently told state transportation officials in a letter that "any prohibition of trucks on a route on which federal funds are to be expended must be supported with adequate justification." He said issues that must be addressed, and which truck-ban proponents are studying, include the availability of alternative routes, safety, environment concerns and impact on interstate commerce.
Proponents Thursday took another shot at a recently completed final supplemental environmental impact statement for Provo Canyon. The Utah Department of Transportation commissioned the document, which will govern highway construction and mitigation.
The document, however, ignores the possible impact on Provo and Orem of increased interstate truck traffic from Provo Canyon.
"This is not a minor issue," said J. Scott Dunaway. "I don't think UDOT understands the depth of feeling about this."
Orem City Councilman Kelvin Clayton said city officials are especially concerned about increased truck traffic on 800 North because a technology park and commercial developments are planned for the area.
Truck-ban proponents believe that widening of Provo Canyon highway can be more environmentally sensitive if the highway is not designed as an interstate truck route.
"There's a lot of potential there that just won't be realized if interstate trucks are allowed," Dunaway said.