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Home > Archive > Feb 14, 2008

Getting There From Here
By Ellie Lambert
The city of St. George held its 2008 Dixie Transportation Expo at the Dixie Center, Feb. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
With 22 booths representing various roadwork projects and transportation information, the Expo provided an opportunity for residents to get a firsthand look at what is going on  now and in the future with the city's roadways.
According to the City Traffic and Transportation Master Plan, the main purpose of the plan is to "identify projects and services that will meet the City's transportation needs over the next 20 years."
The plan integrates roads, bridges, bike paths, trails, public transit, access management, and state-of-the-art technology into a proactive program to stay ahead of the growth curve.
Among the projects currently under consideration are the Bloomington Interchange Modifications, Brigham Road and 120 East, Dixie Drive Interchange, and the Southern Parkway and Airport Access Road. These projects are scheduled to begin 2008-09, with the goal of making traffic flow much easier and faster in these areas.
Zero Fatalities and UDOT Truck Smart were also on hand to encourage residents to take the utmost care when traveling Utah streets and highways.
Zero Fatalities began Jan.13, 2006, as a program to reduce fatalities on Utah's roadways.
This program lets drivers of all ages understand the harsh realities of not taking care when driving.
"Nearly 75 percent of people involved in auto-related fatalities last year weren't wearing seatbelts properly … or at all,” said Jeff Bleak, representative for Zero Fatalities. "Distracted driving is a factor in 1-out-of-4 crashes nationally,” he said.
One of the reasons for distracted driving, Bleak said, is drivers who text message while trying to drive or who use cell phones.
"Our campaign is called 'Don't Drive Stupid,'" Bleak said.
Gina Nielson, of Truck Smart, said that UDOT is trying to implement the Truck Smart program in all schools throughout Utah, so that children can help their parents understand about driving around big rigs.
The Truck Smart program will bring a big rig to a school, set cones around in the 'no-zone' areas, -- typically where a truck driver cannot see around the truck – and have the children sit in the driver's seat to look in the mirrors. They are asked if they can see the cones, and are then instructed as to why driving carefully around big rigs is so important for drivers to understand.
"A truck doesn't drive like a car, and many people forget that these trucks cannot stop on a dime," Nielson said, "they have much larger blind spots, and they certainly can't see someone who is driving right behind them. Statistics have shown that over 70 percent of auto versus truck accidents are caused by negligent practices on the part of the auto drivers."
Nielson pointed out that with all the construction currently underway in Washington County, there are many more trucks on the road, not just on I-15, but in and around the city's streets as well.
From Santa Clara and Ivins to Hurricane and Zion National Park, UDOT is in full swing with getting Washington County's roadways accessible and drivable.
For more information on the Traffic and Transportation Information Exchange, go to www.sgcity.org/traffic and click on any of the Current Projects or Long Term Projects.

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