UDOT nixes wildlife crossing thought in Park Metropolis to advocacy group’s dismay

PARK CITY — A wildlife group is attempting to determine methods to transfer ahead after the Utah Division of Transportation stated it won’t pursue constructing a wildlife crossing on the freeway main into Park Metropolis. UDOT is explaining the choice because the advocacy group questions UDOT’s alternative.

On Monday, site visitors moved alongside state Route 224 between Kimball Junction and Park Metropolis.

Erin Ferguson, president of the group Save Individuals Save Wildlife, stated that stretch of highway sees 30,000 vehicles a day.

Generally the hordes of automobiles collide with herds of animals.

On her drive Monday alone, she stated she noticed three lifeless deer on the facet of the freeway.

Ferguson, standing on the McPolin Farm Trailhead throughout S.R. 224 from the long-lasting white McPolin Farm barn, pointed off to the gap towards Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.

“That could be a frequent place the place we see a whole lot of elk hit,” she stated. “That appears to be the place the place they wish to trip from the meadows.”

Fencing and a wildlife crossing

Save Individuals Save Wildlife has been working to get fencing and a wildlife crossing constructed alongside S.R. 224, saying research courting again years assist it.

“The latest one, which is the Bio-West report, says the simplest options can be a crossing at McPolin and a crossing at Swaner,” Ferguson stated, speaking about Swaner Protect.

Earlier this month, Ferguson stated Save Individuals Save Wildlife met with UDOT, the Division of Wildlife Sources, Summit County, and Park Metropolis to speak concerning the crossing as a comply with as much as a collaborative walkabout alongside S.R. 224 in October 2023.

“UDOT knowledgeable everybody on the multiagency assembly that they might not assist a crossing on 224 on this location,” she stated.

Ferguson stated they requested why.

“UDOT stated that they should make subjective choices each day,” Ferguson stated, of what she was informed.

John Gleason, public relations director at UDOT, stated the company did an evaluation on a wildlife crossing on S.R. 224 to see if it will be the precise resolution for the realm.

He stated UDOT labored intently with DWR, and that their examine of the problem didn’t persuade them a crossing would have the meant outcome.

“This isn’t historically a migratory path for the animals,” he stated. “And so, in the event you constructed a crossing there, you’ll be transporting the animals right into a neighborhood. There would not be anyplace else for them to go.”

Gleason stated they felt it will not be a clever funding of tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} of funds, as they take a look at the problem from a statewide perspective. He described how different wildlife fences and crossing tasks are taking priority, like Echo Junction in Summit County and U.S. 89 in Kanab.

No plans for wildlife crossing

At this level, he stated, they haven’t any plans to have a look at a wildlife crossing within the S.R. 224 space.

Nevertheless, he identified that they did implement modifications on S.R. 224 whereas working with Save Individuals Save Wildlife. He talked about how they lowered the pace restrict and put in additional animal warning indicators that mild up.

“We’re dedicated to taking a look at different potential options, whereas slicing down on wildlife-vehicle collisions,” he stated.

Save Individuals Save Wildlife fundraised to buy animal silhouettes alongside the route which might be reflective and warn drivers to remain alert and take note of animals crossing the freeway.

However Ferguson defined these should not meant to exchange a bridge.

“These are momentary options,” she stated. “The best strategy to handle this drawback alongside this entire roadway is crossings, fencing, protected passage.”

Save Individuals Save Wildlife believes a crossing continues to be one of the best ways to go, particularly as site visitors grows and the realm will get prepared for the Olympics.

Ferguson sees a wildlife crossing as an indication of environmental stewardship.

“We’ll be capable of be on the world stage as setting a superb instance for future host cities,” she stated.

Even when a wildlife crossing is not within the works, Ferguson is hoping to maintain the dialog going. She stated the companies that met in early April agreed to get collectively once more within the close to future to debate various choices for wildlife protected passage.

Ferguson stated the group has tons of of letters of assist and needs to pursue different choices that will embody funding one thing themselves or being included within the Bus Fast Transit Venture.

“If we have now the storytelling behind us, and we have now the general public demanding protected passage for wildlife on this roadway,” she stated, “then we are going to discover the funding and the engineering and get all of the items in place to make that occur.”