Hey everyone! Welcome to a special episode of Summit County’s weekly news podcast, Summit in Six! Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the latest on the Kimball Junction Environmental Impact Statement or EIS.
For some context, since 2019, UDOT, in partnership with Summit County, has been working to evaluate improvements at the I-80 and State Route-224 interchange at Kimball Junction and on SR-224 from Kimball Junction through the Olympic Parkway intersection in Summit County. This project builds on information from the Kimball Junction and SR-224 Area Plan, which was completed back in 2021.
Most recently, UDOT released a draft EIS and identified Alternative C as the preferred alternative. Now, a public comment period is open for the community to review the published draft and give their feedback.
Before we dive any further, let’s introduce UDOT Project Manager, Becky Stromness, who joins us to explain the features of Alternative C and answer some common questions about the EIS.
BECKY:
Thank you so much for having me on, Ammon. I want to thank everyone who has already commented or attended one of the public hearings. It’s so important to us to understand the needs of the community, and everyone’s input helps with our final decision.
AMMON:
Absolutely. Community participation throughout this entire process has been and continues to be so important. After all, the end result will hopefully improve all of our lives!
So, Becky, let’s start with the basics. We know the project intends to improve the interchange area in Kimball Junction, but what exactly does that mean?
BECKY:
That’s a great question, Ammon! The project will improve traffic operations and travel times on SR-224 from the I-80 interchange through Olympic Parkway. Another purpose of the project is to reduce vehicle queues on the I-80 off-ramps. Additionally, on SR-224, the project will improve the level of service at the intersections, meaning that drivers won’t have to sit through multiple light cycles due to congestion. Both of these things are a safety concern, so the solutions we implement will make driving faster and safer in the area!
We also want better mobility and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists because we’re seeing a growing demand for active transportation along and across SR-224. We’re confident the alternative we identified will address all these factors.
AMMON:
It’s good to know that together UDOT and Summit County have taken a wide-angle perspective to analyze a variety of transportation aspects, including safety and mobility at the interchange off ramps and SR-224 intersections, as well as thee impact on future bus rapid transit, walkability, and more.
BECKY:
That is exactly right. The EIS process is pretty comprehensive, evaluating all sorts of effects from the alternatives and comparing those effects to what would happen if we took no action. I encourage everyone to give the EIS a read if you would like a better understanding of the alternatives and how we landed on Alternative C.
AMMON:
Let’s talk a little bit more about Alternative C.
BECKY:
You bet! Alternative C features an additional lane exiting I-80 eastbound at Kimball Junction, plus a dedicated right turn lane onto SR-224. These will help manage the flow of traffic so vehicles aren’t queuing in the travel lanes of I-80.
There will also be the addition of a third travel lane for both NB and SB directions on SR-224. Alternative C also focuses on the intersections — including adding dual left turn lanes for all legs at both Ute Boulevard and Olympic Parkway.
AMMON:
And what about the active transportation improvements?
BECKY:
For pedestrians, we’re going to be building a new underpass beneath SR-224 just south of Ute Boulevard that connects the north-south trails on each side of SR-224. Cyclists will get buffered bike lanes on SR-224 from Olympic Parkway to Rasmussen Road. These additions should improve connectivity and comfort for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
AMMON:
How do these specific features differ from the other alternatives that were under consideration?
BECKY:
In our Draft EIS, we also evaluated Alternative A, and a No-Action Alternative, meaning what would Kimball Junction look like in 2050 if we didn’t make any improvements. The biggest difference between Alternatives A and C is that Alternative A would convert the current I-80/SR-224 interchange into a split-diamond design, meaning the interchange would be split between the existing location and a new intersection with a second bridge over I-80. This would be built near the outlet mall west of SR-224.
AMMON:
So why did Alternative C ultimately win, if you will?
BECKY:
As far as meeting our goals for the project, Alternative C showed the biggest reduction in travel delay and faster travel speeds during peak periods, as well as the shortest vehicle queue lengths or vehicle backups, on the I-80 off-ramp. Additionally, transit travel times are estimated to be more than 2 minutes better than the 2050 No Build condition. The new undercrossing that will be added will help improve the ability for active transportation users getting back and forth across SR-224 safely.
AMMON:
Did it have anything to do with cost concerns?
BECKY:
Cost wasn’t the primary determining factor in our decision; however, Alternative C is 60 percent less expensive than Alternative A and is a more reasonable expenditure of funds for the anticipated operational benefits compared to Alternative A.
One feature that we really like about Alternative C is that it would be compatible for future needs as the area continues to grow. Nothing about it would prevent us from implementing other options like Alternative A if it were to ever be needed.
AMMON:
Yeah, it’s good to hear both from you and from our transportation team here at the county that this is an ongoing effort to improve traffic and increase mobility options, with the Kimball Junction Interchange just being one key milestone in a larger effort.
So, Becky, what happens next?
BECKY:
Although we’ve identified Alternative C as our preferred alternative, the decision isn’t final yet. We want to hear from the community about what they think of Alternative C, how we analyzed the potential impacts, and the proposed mitigation of those potential impacts.
AMMON:
How can people give comment?
BECKY:
There are several ways to comment — we just held two public hearings, but you can still share your comments and concerns online or through a letter or phone call. All that information is on our website, which is kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov. We’ll be accepting formal comments through April 28th.
AMMON:
And the comment opportunity is open to anyone?
BECKY:
Yes, everyone is welcome! If you live, work, or travel in Kimball Junction we want to hear from you.
Public feedback in each step of the process is important to us to help us understand the needs of the community and make sure we’re not missing anything. We will take everyone’s comments into consideration as we develop our final decision.
AMMON:
So, listeners here with us right now, we encourage you to get involved in guiding the future of transportation in Kimball Junction by heading over to kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov and submitting formal comments to the UDOT team!
Becky, can you tell us what happens after public comment closes?
BECKY:
So, once the comment period wraps up we hope to publish our Final EIS and issue a Record of Decision later this year. This will include a response to all of the formal comments we have received on the Draft EIS and we will identify the selected alternative.
AMMON:
I guess I’m wondering what happens after the record of decision? With the Olympics coming in 2034 – which isn’t as far away as it sounds – do you anticipate this project to be done by then?
BECKY:
Yes! UDOT is working to identify funding for the project so it can be designed and built in advance of the upcoming Winter Olympics.
AMMON:
Alright! Well, thank you for all this great info and for your time today, Becky.
And for our listeners: again, we encourage you to get involved and stay involved! The fruits of this whole process will affect and benefit all of us who live and work here in Summit County.
One last reminder: all of the project’s latest updates, reports, and comment opportunities can be found online at kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov. As always, we’ll be sure to link the URL in our show notes for you. Becky, anything else you’d like to add?
BECKY:
I don’t think so. We’ve definitely covered it all. Thanks for having me, Ammon.
AMMON:
Ok! That’s all for now on Summit in Six. See you next time!
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