ST. GEORGE – Construction crews on state Route 18 near the intersection of Snow Canyon Parkway will be engaging in blasting this week. To help promote public safety during this time, Utah Department of Transportation has asked that cyclists and runners use the path that runs along SR-18 while construction and blasting is underway.
Kevin Kitchen, a representative for UDOT, said there would be “a little bit of blasting” that would last for short periods of time. The blasting itself is a part of a project to widen the road so a passing lane can be added to the stretch of the road reaching toward Winchester Hills.
Kitchen said he realized that runners and cyclists who use SR-18 may be doing so for sports training, but also stated it was “safer for all involved” if they would use the roadside trail while construction take place.
As for the blasting, it will only take a few minutes at a time, Kitchen said. The roadway would be momentarily closed to traffic, the blast would take place, rubble would be cleared away, and then traffic would be free to sally forth once again.
Construction on SR-18 will likely continue up to November, Kitchen noted, and blasting may be done on an “on-and-off” basis. As this happens, he again asks for runners and cyclists to use the roadside path when construction is present.
Kitchen was unable to provide specifics times for when the blasting would take place during the coming week.
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Copyright 2012 St. George News.
I thought the purpose of constructing a walking/running/cycling path along SR-18 was to keep the walkers, runners and cyclists off of SR-18 at all times…not just for those brief moments when road construction and/or blasting is taking place.
I have driven that road and been surprised by a roadside runner or cyclist that suddenly appears while I’m following another vehicle. I have also seen runners react to being hit by flying objects that have been kicked up by passing trucks.
Personally, I think this UDOT advisory should be mandatory and carry fines for violators.
Ha! During the construction of the Parkway, I observed on munerous occassions cyclist and runners using the Parkway when clearly posted that bicycles were restricted while the construction was taking place. I agree with Dave above that fines and penalties should be levied to violators/runners/cyclist who merely ignore such safety precautions. I guess it will take a runner/cyclist getting hit before they start to take the precautions seriously.
Double Ha! I on the other hand, have observed on countless occasions that vehicles around this area are NOT obeying the posted speed limits. I have also observed, on a daily basis, vehicles running red signal lights, yield signs and disobeying other traffic signs. I guess it will take an accident at one of these intersections before these violators will start paying attention.