Photo by Michael Flaherty
Why do we need safe passage for wildlife on S.R. 224?
UDOT, twice in the past four years, has hired specialists to look at the situation.
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A study commissioned by UDOT Division of Research and Innovation and funded by UDOT Division of Traffic Safety, identified the top 25 highways in Utah for vehicle wildlife collisions.
SR224 was identified as fifth worst with 2.97 vehicle wildlife collisions per mile per year.
A study commissioned and funded by UDOT Region 2 and performed by BIO-WEST documented 247 vehicle wildlife collisions on SR224 between 2010 and 2020 at a cost of $7.5 million.
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The BIO-WEST study also referenced research results that show the measures currently in place, 45 mph speed limit, and wildlife warning signs and silhouettes, while raising driver awareness, have little or unknown effectiveness in permanently reducing vehicle wildlife collisions.
The BIO-WEST study goes on to say that the measures that have the highest success in reducing vehicle wildlife collisions are wildlife crossings, wildlife fencing, cattle guards and escape ramps. The study even identified the two hot-spot locations, those with highest frequency of wildlife vehicle collisions, as locations for wildlife crossings. One is in the vicinity of McPolin Farm and the other in the vicinity of Swaner Preserve.
The study also states:
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“These two locations could function as permanent wildlife corridors as they have open space and habitat on both sides of the highway and would not direct wildlife into residential areas”.
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Based on the $7.5 million cost of vehicle wildlife collisions between 2010 and 2020, between now and the 2034 Olympics could see another $7.5 million in senseless vehicle wildlife collision costs if a crossing is not in place. More than likely the cost number will be even higher because the current 30,000 AADT number (annual average daily traffic) will surely increase. We also have to account for the areas of open space that are already set aside as well as the recent open space land purchases by the city and county. The entire basin is becoming protected space enlarging our wildlife habitat.
BEFORE EXPANSION
AFTER EXPANSION
The reduced speed limit and signs might help, but will not likely have a significant impact on reducing vehicle wildlife collisions as SR224 exists today at 82 feet in width. Suggesting that these measures will work at a width of 115 feet, as a result of the proposed BRT, is highly unlikely. In addition to the greater distance that wildlife will have to navigate across SR224, studies have shown that driver perception of what is a reasonable speed increases as a result of a wider roadway.
Moreover, HVT has not performed a study, analysis or evaluation of the impact the wider roadway will have on the already high number of vehicle wildlife collisions on SR224. For numerous other environmental concerns, in depth analyses were conducted with the necessary mitigation measures identified. None were done to address the serious issue of vehicle wildlife collisions on SR224.
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As a point of comparison, the three wildlife crossing projects that Utah submitted for federal grants to the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs/wildlife-crossings) in August 2023 were I80/I84 at a total cost of $26.53 million, US89 at a total of $10.39 million and US 40 at a total of $11.61 million.
The one project awarded funds was US 89. UDOT stated in the past five years, there have been nearly 75 crashes involving wildlife near US89. That is 15 a year. The BIO-WEST study documented 247 vehicle wildlife crashes on SR224 over 10 years. That is 24.7 a year. SR 224 has 165% higher number of vehicle/wildlife collisions per year than US89.
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SR 224 is highly worthy of being a contender for the next round of WCPP grant applications, which will be due August 1, 2024.
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Based on the level of community support, through funds raised and letters written and the facts presented above, SPSW respectfully requests that the Park City Council at its upcoming Strategic Planning meetings include the reduction of vehicle/wildlife collisions and provision of safe passage, along SR 224,for wildlife as a high priority.