Tunnel to UVSC possible
Pedestrian passage could ease congestion
"The traffic could operate better if we didn't have to give so much time to the pedestrian movement at that location," said Paul Goodrich, Orem transportation engineer.
The often overcrowded intersection funnels cars to and from I-15 while serving as the entry to UVSC on the north and the gateway to a series of shops and student apartments on the south.
The proposed path would burrow underneath University Parkway, linking Sandhill Road and UVSC. And, for those familiar with old-school Atari games, it also would eliminate the "Frogger"-like situation between crosswalkers and cars.
"Anytime with one of these big intersections (if we) get the (pedestrians) out of the intersection we can do a lot more with traffic," said Keith Larsen, Orem traffic engineer. "If you get them out, it means it's safer for them, too."
With a typical on-street crosswalk, a city is bound by standards based on how much time people need to cross the street. A "clearance interval" means that the mechanical "chirping bird" must continue long enough so that someone walking 4 feet per second can safely cross before the light changes, Larsen said.
The idea has been talked about for a few months but is still in its infancy.
"It's really in a conceptual stage," said Orem City Manager Jim Reams. "It's one of those brainstorm ideas. Now we have to sit down and see how practical it is."
Reams said there isn't money allocated from the 2006-07 budget for the potential project, but it might be addressed in the next year's budget. Costs haven't been assessed yet.
Any plans would be presented to UVSC and the Utah Department of Transportation, Goodrich said.
UVSC is in favor of the project, which officials believe would greatly increase safety for pedestrians, many of whom are students.
"I think there's been different concepts of some type of underpass or overpass for a long time," said Val Peterson, vice president of administration and external affairs at UVSC. "It's just trying to find out the right concept that makes sense."
Although the focus is more on building a tunnel, the idea of an overpass hasn't been ruled out yet, Goodrich said.
However, it would cost more than its underground counterpart and is more intrusive, as the structure must have ramps to conform with ADA standards.
But digging an underground tunnel creates safety issue of its own.
"When you do a tunnel, you want to make sure that it's not a hidden problem," Goodrich said. "You want to keep as many eyes on it as possible."
Keeping the tunnel entrances highly visible would be an important part of ensuring safety for the walkers, Goodrich said.
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com
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