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New east-west Utah County route urged

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Go Back Where You Came From | 2:06 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

To Sergeant in the US Army... Believe it or not, I do understand your situation. I've been there myself...plenty of bills never enough paycheck. And I didn't have to buy a NEW house to start out. However, my complaint is with those who KNEW the situation and chose to move there anyway and complain and expect the problem to go away OR they want to force landowners to sell their property so a road can be built to accommodate them.

Unbelievable is Right | 2:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

About 30,000 people live in EM and SS. That is about 1.5% of the entire state. That's bigger than Park City, Heber Valley, and Tooele. Why shouldn't they get a road or two for all of the taxes they pay to help fund the entire state?

Chris | 2:41 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Tell me how other roads would have helped in the situation last week. They would have been just as snowy and windy and clogged up with cars as the ones that exist already.

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To Go Back where you came from | 2:46 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

I didnt buy a new house sir. In fact, the house I bought is nearly 10 years old. The Army alots me 900 a month for a house, and I pay 1200. Where can I find a house on that budget, and dont tell me to live on post because the list for that is so long, I will be out of the Army before I can live there.
To Chris:
Another road, yes would have been just as snowed on as the existing road, but when the ONLY ROAD is closed, what do you do? If there is a second road, it will still move slow, but it moves.
To those that say the people knew the conditions, where else would they move to. Can I take half of your yard to place a house their. With the population growth, their simply aren't enough existing houses for those moving into the state, or those like me that grew up in the state, and now need to start my life. When parents are having 4+ kids, population will double every generation. West is the only way to go in the Metro area. Infrasture is and will be needed.

Chris | 3:56 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

If the road was CLOSED due to blizzard conditions, wouldn't the second road have been closed as well since it would be going to and coming from the same area? I realize that something needs to be done to improve the commute but the whole tone of this story was another road would have prevented the problem and to use the storm as an example to tell others of the need for more roads is ridiculous.

Bill says | 3:52 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

that he is glad that he lives in South Dakota! when I want to go into SLC I just drive through Wyoming and there it is!

To Chris | 4:07 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

The road was closed due to accidents, not the blizzard.

floridian | 6:21 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

I moved from Eagle Mountain about 20 months ago. At that time the hand writing was on the wall as to the lack of adequate infrastructure. But not much was in the works at that time -- oh, wait -- let's see -- oh, yes -- Pleasant Grove was getting approval for another mega-on/off ramp for I-15, making that something like 9 such on/off ramps in about 11 miles between Lehi and Provo. And why? For more development (read: tax dollars). About the same time Utah County was voting down spending money for the right-of-way for mass transportation. Utahns get a grip -- you need to figure out what your priorities -- it obviously is not to find a way out of the mess your development planning is causing.

Believable | 6:22 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs grew up without offering infrastructure growth funds for access to their fine communities. Hence the lower cost of entry. Now that they are here, that infrastructure needs change. All residents of these areas combined, these communities continue to offer lower taxes compared to the surrounding UT Valley communities. Their taxes may not be able to supply their portion of the costs for growth. Thats fine, just economics. Despite this seemingly localized problem, I, who do not live there, wish that when I travel through there to get to Tooele or Dugway I could arrive in a safe (deer and antelope free) timely manner. Hence, I am willing to pay a $5 toll fee each way. The alternative is to pay that in gas, wear and tear, possible accident costs, and time crawling along while being exhausted by the commute. I want some of my tax and some $ from my pocket to ensure that this commute changes.

commuter special | 6:27 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

to the residents of EM & SS just how far are your commutes? You can't be working in those cities since there is very few businesses that the residents can work at. How much searching did you do before choosing your home, what considerations were made, commute times, distance to grocery store, post office etc before you bought. UDOT, county and local cities are too blame. They seem to be always playing catch up with the road building. People seem to move in to new area but someone or the various departments dont seem to think forward and the future results

Bridge? | 6:44 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Bridges cost a lot, but can be built rather quickly. However, because of policy requirements, a bridge may take a lot longer than a road to build. However, perhaps a dual solution may work. If the road were widened temporarily through Lehi up to the "crossroads" where Smiths is right now along with a bridge to cross over the lake. Perhaps the widened road could suffice for 10 years and when the bridge is finished the infrastructure change may be just enough to supply demand. During that time, a more viable solution for rerouting and additional road development would have time to be hashed out and budgeted for. I would prefer a toll (to cross only one way) to help in building cost recovery. After ten years of use, the toll would drop or be released.

Bad idea | 6:57 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Bob, To make developers put in freeways is a ridiculous idea. You drive on roads that those before you (and after you) paid to have built. Now that others need improved and new roads, you also should be willing to do your part. I believe in small government, but one thing that government must do is provide a road infrastructure. Our planners are too slow in building for the future as it is. If you were to add the cost of new roads to the price of new lots, each lot would cost more than a mansion on the east bench of SLC. On the other hand, I think government does not do enough to discourage long commutes. I would like to see major incentives given to those who buy homes within five miles of their work. And how about a $1,500 tax credit to workers who commute at least 100 days per year by bicycle. That would force more developments near places of employment and could also cause employers to move closer to bedroom communities.

A young perspective | 8:13 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

I personally think a bridge is a good idea. There could be a small fee too. Little kids like to go on bridges. If a number of people took this to the state, then eventually there would be enough money to make another road, or build a bridge. there could even be a ferry to go across the lake. That would also raise alot of money to build another road.

Developer is Right | 8:14 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

It should have been the developers (Patterson, Walden et al) who chose to develop out in Eagle Mountain who should have flipped the bill and assisted in the building of these additional roads. As always they have chosen it to be done on the backs of residents and taxpayers because it is cheaper for them to do.

As Heather Jackson fails to mention, she "worked for" a developer (Walden) before she was "voted in" as mayor. She knows what the issues are here, and complaining for more roads is another deflection tactic on the real issue; that the N.Utah County developers have been given free reign without being held financially accountable for the infrastructure necessary for the development.

She's just playing the politics as she's been coached by our illustrious State Senator and Walden Employee Mark Madsen.

Road Builders and Developers | 8:42 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

From the comments it appears that some builders (Developer) are willing to cover some of the route costs. I remember that the road I live on was designed and built by the same developer that developed the lots. The road widths and walkways were decided and approved by the City folks. Because of the wider roads and walkways that surround the neighborhoods, a number of larger homes went up around me. Two years later, principal roads surrounding the neighborhoods were widened and ... Initially the roads were built by the developers. Later the city came in and enhanced existing infrastructure to support more residents. This has worked nicely and I have no complaints about how it was handled. It appears to me, comparing my personal experience, that the local governments did not pay attention to their end of the responsibility.

Saw it coming | 9:41 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

They could call it the TOO LITTLE TOO LATE HIGHWAY.

Here's the deal... | 11:09 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

I bought property in the Ranches in Eagle Mountain 8 years ago with the promise that this would remain a rural location with a reasonable number of cars traveling the roads. Eagle Mountain's developers bought the city council and they rammed as many homes in as possible. Everything that was promised was tossed out the door. The city council helped the developers over build for the transportation routes so they could all make a buck. Nothing done in Eagle Mountain by the city councils has been done for the citizens, but for the developers. Shame on them for putting everyone in danger.

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