FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have more questions that you would like answered or listed below, please contact Darla Christiansen at (800) 252-8929 or dchristiansen@langdongroupinc.com.

 
Q:    

How many lanes is UDOT planning to add to this corridor?
A:     At the beginning of this study, the S.R. 108 project team conducted a thorough traffic analysis using both UDOT traffic data and conducting actual traffic counts throughout the corridor.   Those results were modeled to determine how many lanes were needed now through the year 2035.  The team found that 5 to 7 lanes would be needed to meet the projected traffic demand.  Because this road runs through many local communities, the team decided to pursue the 5-lane alternative, to minimize impacts to local residents. This alternative includes two travel lanes in each direction, shoulders, sidewalks, bike lanes, and a center median.  The drawings below illustrate the two options being considered for S.R. 108.

   

Q:    Did the traffic study take other projects in the area into consideration?
A:    The project team took several factors into consideration when conducting the traffic study.  They considered each city's long range plans as well as population trends.  They also assumed all projects currently identified on the Wasatch Front Region Council (WFRC) Long Range Transportation Plan would be implemented, including North Legacy Parkway and improvements to several east-to-west corridors.
 
Q:     How will I know exactly how my property is impacted?
A:   

Until the EIS is approved and the design completed, we will not know the exact impacts of the project.  The purpose of an EIS is to determine possible impacts of a proposed action. To determine the impacted area, project engineers developed about 30% of the design for each of the alternatives. However, because the design is not complete, the impacts could change as more details are added in the final design, which occurs after the EIS is approved.  In the case of relocations, the project engineers make an assumption for the study that if the right of-way goes through a structure, the structure will likely be relocated. If the right-of-way impacts the property and comes within 15 feet of a structure, the structure will be classified as a potential relocation and if the right-of-way is more than 15 feet away, only the amount of property needed for construction will be acquired. Although the UDOT Right-of-Way Division uses the EIS as a guidance document, they look at several factors besides how close the right-of-way is to a structure when making a determination about relocation. Each property is considered independently. The EIS can help property owners prepare for the possible impact of the project and once the EIS is approved and the final design is complete, UDOT right-of-way agents will work one-on-one with each property owner to determine if relocation is necessary and determine fair compensation for private property impacts.
 
Q:    If UDOT widens the road, will they widen from the existing center line?  Or will they widen to one side of the street?
A:    Several factors are being considered to determine what alignment the proposed improvements would follow.  In some cases, state and federal requirements will direct the choice of alignments.  For instance, state or federal agencies may require that qualifying properties under section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 be avoided.  In other cases, safety and consistency of lanes may direct the alignment. 
 
Q:    How long is the EIS Process going to take?  When would construction occur?
A:   

 

Environmental Review Process - The EIS is projected to take two years (from Summer 2006).  A draft of the EIS is scheduled to be released to the public next summer.  Comments on the draft will then be incorporated and a final released for public comments in the winter of 2007.  A final decision on the document is anticipated for summer 2008.

Construction - There is currently no funding identified for this project.  If the EIS is approved, funding will need to be identified.  The project will then go into a final design process.  Once the design is complete, UDOT will begin trying to acquire funds for construction.  We do not yet know how this project would be segmented or phased for construction or when construction would occur.
 
Q:    If we know the road needs to be widened, why is this study required?
A:    An environmental review is required for all projects that use federal funds.  By developing this project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this project will be eligible for federal funding, which could improve the likelihood of finding funding in a more timely manner.
 
Do you have questions you would like posted on this site?  Comments and questions regarding the S.R. 108 Environmental Impact Statement can be directed to Darla Christiansen at (800) 252-8929 or at dchristiansen@langdongroupinc.com.