From Deseret News archives:

Cautionary tale on U.S. 6

Published: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:24 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Eight months ago, state road crews repaired a 70-foot crater in U.S. 6 after a tanker carrying explosives rolled and blasted a huge hole in the highway. On Monday, it was a double tanker carrying gasoline that rolled and exploded — a mere 25 feet from the site of the August accident. The truck driver died Wedneday after suffering burns over 90 percent of his body. After the accident, the road was closed for more than six hours. Repairs are ongoing.

U.S. 6 has long been considered one of the most dangerous highways in Utah, if not the nation. The Utah Department of Transportation has spent $15 million on safety improvements over the past eight years, adding passing lanes and expanding shoulders, among other projects. Large-scale improvements, such as widening the road to four lanes, would cost more than $1 billion. But parts of the highway are bordered by rock formations, a river and a railway, which limits UDOT's options.

Absent the funding for a big fix, driver safety on U.S. 6 depends largely on drivers. Anyone who travels the highway needs to be aware of possible hazards and should heed posted speed limits and other warning signs. UDOT needs to speed up its plans to implement an "early warning" system to the Red Narrows curves of U.S. 6 to remind speeding motorists to slow down.

Story continues below
The hazards of U.S. 6 are well known. Thirteen people perished in accidents along the highway last year, the highest number since 1998. Some local residents want a greater commitment on the part of Utah legislators, who hold the state's purse strings, and from UDOT to improve the safety of the highway. A bill filed by Rep. James Ferrin, R-Orem, to permit the state to bond for $1.3 billion to widen U.S. 6 was amended in committee but was not considered in either the House or the Senate this past legislative session.

Monday's accident should prompt further discussion about what the state should do — and what it reasonably can afford to do — about U.S. 6. In the meantime, UDOT should fast-track warning systems and drivers should acquaint themselves with the hazards of the dangerous highway and drive accordingly.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

Call me ignorant, but I don't get the orange slices and Capri Sun comments......

BYU ties give Utes an edge

Ask the Bruins how succesfull it was having BYU ties. . . OOOOOHHHHH Snap!

Re: John Pack Lambert Of course the temple is in a neighborhood. I'd like...

RSL gets warm reception at Capitol

wish couldve been there. I was one of about 400 that welcomed the team back...

Boylen's teams always start slow. It's not where you start; it's where you...

I wouldn't take Andy. I love him, but he is getting to the point where he is...

Fans like you are exactly why I want BYU to beat Utah every year.

Thunder rolls by Jazz

OKC is gonna be wiping the floor with the Jazz for years to come.

Letters: Don't buy it

So govt. wants to be my insurance provider so badly that they will increase...

Thunder rolls by Jazz

This one is on Sloan. There are coaches out there who know how to disrupt the...

Advertisements