Federal highway officials have expanded the scope of an environmental impact study they plan to begin soon about possibly converting U.S. 89 in Davis County into a freeway between I-15 and I-84.
That 12-mile stretch of busy highway is currently Utah's deadliest, with many small roads and driveways emptying onto it. State transportation officials and members of Congress have proposed to make it a freeway.The Federal Highway Administration announced in the Federal Register this week that it will also study the environmental impacts of many other alternatives for the highway besides making it a freeway including:
- Making no changes to the road.
- Adding only low-cost improvements such as traffic light installation and coordination.
- Improving mass transit there.
- Making the highway a "signalized expressway.
- Using a combination of alternatives.
The agency said it will later schedule public scoping hearings to allow residents to outline what issues they feel should be addressed.
It also said residents who want more information or to comment in writing should contact Tom Allen at the Federal Highway Administration's Utah office at 2520 W. 4700 South, Suite 9A, Salt Lake City, UT 84118, or call 524-5143.
The agency also announced in the Federal Register this week that it is abandoning a similar study that was to look at impacts of widening Ogden's 36th Street between Wall Avenue and Harrison Boulevard.
"The original concept to provide a four-lane section and remove residences and businesses along one side of the street is no longer being considered," the notice explained.