March 25, 2002
As spring traffic headed to southern Utah starts to pick up...the state wants the public to speak out on one of its most notorious highways.
During the next five years, Utah will spend 80-million dollars to improve safety on U-S Six from Spanish Fork to I-70...and everyone can throw their ideas into the mix.
News Specialist Jed Boal has the story...
This crash scene is far too familiar for state troopers and emergency medics who work U-S 6 from Spanish Fork to Price.
During the 90's, the 60 mile stretch averaged more than a dozen deaths a year...many more fatal crashes than Sardine, Weber and Parley's Canyons combined.
Two years ago, friends and family of crash victims pleaded with the Governor to do something about it...
Now the people can offer their ideas.
Amanda Covington/UDOT: OUR FIRST PRIORITY IS TO MEET THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND IMPROVE SAFETY. BUT, WE'RE ALSO INTERESTED IN WHAT THE TRAVELERS ARE ASKING FOR.
The highway CAN present challenges. It's narrow and windy. Snow, ice and whiteouts are winter problems...and summer recreation traffic creates bottlenecks and inconsistent speeds.
UDOT wants imput from any and all drivers who use Highway 6...Truckers, Salt Lake residents and people who live in communities along the highway.
Amanda Covington/UDOT: WE'RE TAKING MAPES THAT ARE BLANK...IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE.
Jed Boal/Eyewitness NEws: REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER CHANGES UDAO MAKES TO THE ROAD...THE UTAH HIGHWAY PATROL SAY DRIVERS SHOULD NOT EXPECT INSTANT SAFETY...IMPROVEMENTS MAY ENCOURAGE SPEEDERS TO DRIVE EVEN FASTER.
Col. Earl Morris/Utah Highway Patrol: THAT STRETCH OF ROAD WAS NOT BUILT FOR 80-90 MILES PER HOUR...SPEED IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THE ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR UP THERE.
Two years ago, the legislature funded an extra trooper to patrol the highway...and federal funding has paid for overtime patrols.
But, the UHP believes the only solution for a safer road is safer driving.
The open house tomorrow is 4-8 pm in Moab. Wednesday it's in Price, and Thursday it's in Spanish Fork.
