Tunnel to UVSC possible

OREM — It's still just an idea, but Orem engineers say a pedestrian tunnel from Sandhill Road to Utah Valley State College could be an answer to some of the traffic-congestion problems at the University Parkway interchange.

"The traffic could operate better if we didn't have to give so much time to the pedestrian movement at that location," said Paul Goodrich, Orem transportation engineer.

The often overcrowded intersection funnels cars to and from I-15 while serving as the entry to UVSC on the north and the gateway to a series of shops and student apartments on the south.

The proposed path would burrow underneath University Parkway, linking Sandhill Road and UVSC. And, for those familiar with old-school Atari games, it also would eliminate the "Frogger"-like situation between crosswalkers and cars.

"Anytime with one of these big intersections (if we) get the (pedestrians) out of the intersection we can do a lot more with traffic," said Keith Larsen, Orem traffic engineer. "If you get them out, it means it's safer for them, too."

With a typical on-street crosswalk, a city is bound by standards based on how much time people need to cross the street. A "clearance interval" means that the mechanical "chirping bird" must continue long enough so that someone walking 4 feet per second can safely cross before the light changes, Larsen said.

Because pedestrians at University Parkway have nine lanes to cross, the north/south car traffic has longer lights, despite the fact there is more east/west congestion.

The idea has been talked about for a few months but is still in its infancy.

"It's really in a conceptual stage," said Orem City Manager Jim Reams. "It's one of those brainstorm ideas. Now we have to sit down and see how practical it is."

Reams said there isn't money allocated from the 2006-07 budget for the potential project, but it might be addressed in the next year's budget. Costs haven't been assessed yet.

Any plans would be presented to UVSC and the Utah Department of Transportation, Goodrich said.

UVSC is in favor of the project, which officials believe would greatly increase safety for pedestrians, many of whom are students.