Fruit Heights wants warning signal

FRUIT HEIGHTS — Residents of Fruit Heights endured a brush with catastrophe last week after a tanker carrying butane exploded along U.S. 89.

Now, seven days later, city officials are pushing to prevent a similar accident — approving a resolution Tuesday urging the Utah Department of Transportation to install a warning light on U.S. 89 near 400 North.

The goal is to prevent trucks and cars from careening through the intersection, said Fruit Heights councilwoman Eileen Moss.

While still under investigation, police say the tanker crash occurred because the truck driver ran a red light at 400 North and U.S. 89.

"We feel like we have dodged a bullet many times with that intersection," said Moss, who oversees emergency preparedness in Fruit Heights. "We have had citizens complain many, many times about trucks running that red light."

Over the past two years, 28 crashes have occurred near 400 North along U.S. 89. One was fatal and six caused injuries, according to Robert Hull, UDOT director of traffic and safety.

While it is difficult to compare the frequency of crashes, Hull said UDOT will review the request that it install warning lights approaching the intersection.

"We're more than eager to go out and study the intersection and look at what would be a viable way to improve the intersection," he said. "We're always interested in doing that."

Because U.S. 89 slopes into a slight hill before 400 North, Moss said warning lights would be an effective way to stop motorists from running through the intersection.

The lights, which are connected to regular traffic signals, start flashing when the signal changes yellow — supposedly giving motorists extra time to slow for a stop signal.

The state has installed warning lights near Sardine Canyon by Brigham City, costing about $40,000 per sign. While the effectiveness of those signals has yet to be studied, Hull said other states have reported fewer crashes in intersections where the warning system is used.

Russell Dee Ward, a Fruit Heights resident, said anything that would change the current status of the intersection would be welcomed.

His home overlooks U.S. 89. Each day, he said, he can see trucks and cars running through the intersection. Big trucks are a concern to Ward because of their size and weight — and inability to stop quickly.

"We've talked to the City Council," Ward said. "We'd like to see them put a flashing light up the road, or a warning that they have to stop. Possibly the speed limit should be changed to a 40 mile-per-hour limit. Something should be done."

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