2013 Issue

61 B ecause of the valley’s narrow geography, north-southmovements are vital to the community and the economy. The study was conducted from September 2011 through June 2012 by Horrocks Engineers, URS Corporation, and CDM Smith, with participation from UDOT, UTA, Wasatch Front Regional Coun- cil (WFRC), and local governments. Although all north-south corridors were considered, emphasis was placed on several major arterials including: • I-15 between 600 North and • Bangerter Highway • Redwood Road • State Street • 700 East /Van Winkle/900 East • Highland Drive/2000 East • 1300 West • 1300 East • 2700 West • I-215 Interchanges The study team’s objective was to recommend eight priority improve- ments that could be constructed within five years with costs of approximately, or less than, $10 million that provide regional mobility improvements for the present and the future. The team has also provided UDOT with additional lists of easy to implement, long-range, and spot improvement projects that would have corridor and regional benefits. Process of the Study In order to determine the most benefi- cial eight projects for the region, the Study Team first established a baseline traffic model by updating and using the WFRC’s existing regional traffic model. The team collected and analyzed data, which included exist- ing and forecasted traffic volumes, future land use densities, socioeco- nomic data, and proposed roadway improvements within Salt Lake County. From this baseline model, the team determined what corridors face the most congestion, at present and in the future, and focused attention on these corridors as the team carried out the innovation workshops. This innovation workshop was com- prised of individuals with varying back- grounds in the transportation industry who brainstormed solutions for each corridor. At the end of the workshops, the team generated 260 concepts that may benefit regional transportation. These concepts were then screened and scored based on their feasibility, timeframe to complete design, cost, modeling performance, useful life, economic enhancement, safety, and bicycle, pedestrian and transit mobility until the top 21 projects were identi- fied. These finalists were presented to UDOT for feedback and the final eight projects were selected. Once the eight projects were identified, all were refined by adding additional design ef- fort. Updated cost estimates for each project were developed, as well as summaries for each discipline detailing the major risks and benefits. Recommendations from the Study The following projects were selected for completion of detailed Concept Reports. The scope of these projects range from spot widening to inter- change modifications. • Add Second HOV/HOT Lane; I-15 Northbound and South bound from 400 South to Bangerter – Add a second northbound and southbound HOV/HOT lane using inside shoulders during peak hours on I-15 from 400 South to Bangerter Highway. • Additional General Purpose Lane; I-15 Southbound from SR-201 to 5300 South - Add a southbound general purpose lane on I-15 from North South Corridor Study Purpose of the Study The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) originated the North South Traffic Study to identify north-south regional transportation needs in Salt Lake County. NORTH SOUTH CORRIDOR STUDY | continued on page 62 Innovation Team Workshop Spot location and high cost solutions are identified in final document Potential solutions may be eliminated during evaluation ENGINEERING (FEASIBILITY) MODELING (EFFECTIVENESS) STAKEHOLDER TEAM INPUT ENGINEERING ELIMINATE ELIMINATE FINAL DOCUMENT PROJECT CONCEPT REPORTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LESS THAN $10M MORE THAN $10M FINAL 8 PROJECTS LOW $ SPOT PROJECTS PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA SCREEN