There’s a long road ahead before the traffic congestion, vehicle queuing and travel times at the Kimball Junction interchange will be fixed, and local leaders say regional support is needed to ensure a solution is in place before the 2034 Winter Olympics.
The Park City and Summit County councils heard revised proposals for the site during a joint meeting on Friday after the Utah Department of Transportation narrowed the list of alternatives earlier this month. County transportation planners want to submit modified options before the public comment period closes on March 27 with the goal of making it onto the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program roll by next year.
Brandon Brady, the county’s deputy director of transportation planning, presented possible changes to UDOT’s alternatives including amending Alternative B to pass the state’s screening, combining options A and C, and revising elements of the individual plans to better meet the community’s needs.
Alternative B — grade-separated intersections with one-way frontage roads — was the preferred plan for many in Summit County, but it was the largest and most expensive proposal. It was ultimately eliminated by UDOT because the cost and impact on key resources failed to meet the overall purpose of the project.
Brady recommended a fly-under and moving construction closer to Olympic Parkway rather than Ute Boulevard to reduce the footprint and avoid unnecessary stress on the existing infrastructure. The new cost has yet to be determined. A traffic test also hasn’t been conducted.
UDOT said it would be willing to consider amendments to the alternatives that moved forward, but officials warned major modifications could cause delays. The state plans to choose a project by the end of the year or in early 2025 as soon as the environmental impact statement process wraps up.
It’s more likely that smaller alterations would move forward.
For example, combining elements of Alternative A, a split diamond interchange and intersection improvements, and Alternative C — intersection upgrades with advancements for pedestrians — would route local traffic off Interstate 80 earlier and create an enhanced footbridge rather than an underpass to connect both sides of S.R. 224.
Current conditions on S.R. 224 create disconnected neighborhoods and insufficient walkability in addition to the problems with cars. Brady said it’s crucial to fix traffic, but it’s also important to ensure pedestrians are prioritized.
While construction would occur within Summit County’s jurisdiction, the County Council asked the City Council to sign a letter backing the project. Staff emphasized a joint approach is best to help ensure the area is put at the top of the list.
Some city councilors seemed wary about offering support until a specific fix is selected or that it may seem like municipal issues are being put aside. City Councilor Jeremy Rubell noted heavy traffic on S.R. 248 or U.S. 40 and the impacts on residents living in neighborhoods like Park City Heights.
However, the County Council emphasized that nearly every resident, whether they live in the city limits or on the East Side, is affected by traffic at the Kimball Junction and I-80 interchange.
County Councilor Canice Harte said he sees the project as a way to bring ideas together for a regional solution. It’s important for stakeholders to insert their ideas before a plan is approved, particularly with the projected growth in the Wasatch Back and several large developments, as well as big events like the Olympics, looming.
Harte said there are still some significant pieces being moved around that will determine which alternative is selected. Then it might be put on the STIP. The state also wants to see outside funding committed to the project.
The Games aren’t expected to be a catalyst for state funding to be awarded to the fix of S.R. 224, but it may help the area rise to the top of the list. Officials noted projects can be moved around depending on need and financing.
The design and build process would start once the money is raised. Brady estimated construction is a minimum of three to four years away. The goal is to break ground by 2029 and finish the work in time for the international stage in 2034.
County Councilor Roger Armstrong said he wants the project to make sense for everyone, recognizing the traffic problems elsewhere in the community.
However, he was worried about increased competition in Wasatch County once Deer Valley Resort’s East Village expansion comes online. Armstrong questioned if future visitors would skip the Park City area to avoid getting stuck in Kimball Junction.
Park City Mayor Nann Worel said the decision is ultimately up to Summit County, and she indicated the city would ultimately support whatever the County Council pursues.
Summit County will draft a letter of support for the city to review before the comment period concludes. City officials are expected to review the document before they agree to sign it. The City Council may also decide to wait until the draft EIS is presented by UDOT in the spring or summer.
Visit kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov for more information or to submit a comment on the UDOT alternatives.