UDOT kicks off environmental study for Big Cottonwood Canyon

State seeking public comment on study, with public meetings planned Nov. 13 and 14

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has started an environmental study focused on evaluating tolling and enhanced bus service to address winter-time traffic congestion management on state route 190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon as directed by the Utah State Legislature in Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) 2023.

SB 2 specifies and directs UDOT to use certain funds allocated by the legislature to "provide enhanced bus service, tolling, a mobility hub, and resort bus stops for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons."

Potential improvements that UDOT is considering as part of the environmental study include enhanced bus service for Big Cottonwood with buses running from a mobility hub near the canyon's mouth every five to ten minutes during peak hours, enclosed bus stops at the resorts, minor road improvements to help the bus system, and a winter-season tolling system starting below Solitude Entry 1 with variable pricing.

"Big Cottonwood Canyon is a gateway to some of Utah's best winter activities. We're keeping this study focused on the improvements outlined in Senate Bill 2 to address the canyon's transportation needs," said UDOT Project Manager Devin Weder. "Our goal is to use the money already provided by the legislature to address traffic in the canyon now and into the future."

As part of the study's efforts, UDOT will be hosting two public meetings on November 13-14 and a public comment period from November 13 - December 13 to gather input from the community:

• In-person: Nov. 13 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Butler Elementary School at 7000 South 2700 East in Cottonwood Heights. This will be an open house format with informational materials and the opportunity to talk to study team members.
• Virtual: Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Zoom. There will be a presentation followed by a Q&A session, instructions to join are on the project website. This meeting will be recorded and placed on the website.

The same information will be presented at both meetings and is available on the project website.

"The road is already at capacity during peak times and our models show travel demand is expected to increase by 2050," Weder said. "These public meetings and comment period are a great opportunity for people who visit the canyon to learn more about what we're proposing as a solution and share their insights with us."

A public comment period will be open from Nov. 13 through Dec. 13, 2024. UDOT is asking for input on the preliminary purpose and need of the project, observations or concerns associated with existing traffic conditions, and the community and natural environmental resources that should be evaluated in the study. The public is encouraged to review the project documents, attend the public meetings, and submit comments when the comment period opens next month.

For more information about the study visit the Big Cottonwood Canyon Study site.