Proposed improvements to U.S. 89 in Logan Canyon would do little to speed travel through the canyon, said Logan Mayor Russ Fjeldsted.
He made the comment at a recent meeting of civic leaders at which Lynn Zollinger, Utah Department of Transportation deputy District 1 director, outlined the department's preferred alternative for improving the highway."Most people say it is a workable plan," he said.
The draft plan is a compromise worked out by representatives of the Federal Highway Administration, the Forest Service and UDOT for a 28-mile stretch between Right Hand Fork and Garden City.
Zollinger said the draft environmental statement is expected to be released in March and a final decision could be made in July.
The matter has been under study for more than four years.
Fjeldsted said he is disappointed there is no change in the current speed of 25 mph and the existing roadway width of 26 feet from Right Hand Fork to Ricks Springs. Only in the final 4.6 miles would the speed be raised to 40 mph.
"It will hardly lessen the time to travel from Logan to Bear Lake, and Rich County residents would like to get here quicker for business and health emergencies," he said.
Doug Thompson, executive director of the Cache Chamber of Commerce, was concerned mainly about the stretch between Right Hand Fork and Burnt Bridge because "people will be going from 50 mph to 25 mph with no transition and with no widening of the highway.
"This makes it dangerous for bicyclists now, and we would like to have seen that improved," he said.
However, Thompson said he found the plan "workable" and is pleased with proposed improvements in the Temple Fork area, which he said has great potential for winter recreation.
The proposed improvements include making a parking lot and establishing turn lanes at the intersection.
Steve Flint of Citizens for the Protection of Logan Canyon said the group objects to plans to widen and realign several curves in the middle section. However, Flint said, the group is pleased the latest proposal does not include a climbing lane at the Dugway section and a rerouting of Beaver Creek.