ST GEORGE – A week after a site visit to Little Valley and hearing continued concerns over public safety concerning Little Valley Road, the St. George City Council, Thursday night, unanimously approved work for improved improvements to the road.
Little Valley Road approved with added conditions
During it’s Feb. 6 meeting, the City Council tabled approval of improvements to Little Valley Road after hearing from area residents about public safety issues connected to the road. While approval was placed on hold, the City Council visited Little Valley the following week for a firsthand glimpse of the area.
Longtime Little Valley residents who practice an agrarian lifestyle said traffic on the road has become dangerous and poses a threat to life and livestock. Earlier this week a horse and vehicle were involved in a hit-and-run on Little Valley Road. Some residents had asked the council to turn Little Valley Road into a dead-end street.
Residents who have moved into Little Valley with the rapid development of the area said closing the road would pose a threat to school children who attend the three different schools in the area, as increased traffic would be siphoned onto already hazardous streets.
“It was a great chance to see the area,” Mayor Jon Pike said, recalling last week’s site visit.
Pike encouraged the council to approve road improvement for $740,307 with two additions to the original plan:
- A four-way stop will be placed at Little Valley Road and Crimson Ridge Drive. “I think it would be warranted,” Pike said.
- No parking will be allowed on a part of Little Valley Road. Instead, a 4-foot shoulder will be provided for cyclists and joggers, along with the installment of curb, gutter, and sidewalk. On the other side of the sidewalk will be a 6-foot wide dirt path for horses leading to the area’s equestrian trail.
Councilwoman Michele Randall asked about possibly lowering the speed limit on the road from 35 mph to 30 mph, again noting children who attend area schools. “I’m just really concerned about those kids,” she said.
“This is really a growing pain in the community,” Councilwoman Bette Arial said, adding the city can only do so much for public safety. People who speed down the roads in Little Valley need to be more safety-minded as well.
“The citizens themselves need to call for safety,” Arial said.
The council unanimously approved the road improvements.
Counting the Mall Drive Bridge and related road projects, City Manager Gary Esplin said the city has invested some $15 million in road improvements in the Little Valley area.
Other business
The City Council approved a zone change in a 3-2 vote allowing for the building of a Jiffy Lube at 1450 South and River Road. The location has concerned neighboring residents who worry the automotive maintenance shop, which specializes in changing out motor oil, could contaminate the nearby Virgin River if an accident or flood occurred. Council members said it was not an easy vote. Councilmen Gil Almguist, Jimmie Hughes and Bowcutt voted in favor of the zone change. Councilwomen Arial and Randall voted against it.
A bid was awarded for further improvements to 3000 East from 1450 South to Mall Drive in the amount of $853,294.50 to Interstate Rock Products. Improvements include reconstruction, drainage, and some widening of 3000 East.
In connection with roadwork on 3000 East, a $69,000 bid was awarded to Creamer and Noble Engineering for the construction management of the project.
The city approved a bid of $812,359.35 from J.P. Excavating for the Hela Seegmiller Historic Farm in Little Valley at the corner of 2450 South and 3000 East. The historic farm is designed to show people what farming was like in Little Valley between 1870 and 1913.
“It’s kind of an exciting project,” Esplin said of the historic farm.
Related posts
- Vehicle vs. horse hit-and-run on Little Valley Road heightens neighborhood road concerns
- City Council visits Little Valley, hears road concerns
- Mall Drive Bridge construction finally begins, what to expect
- City Council approves fee changes at animal shelter, roundabout bid, hears Little Valley concerns
- Current, future road projects reviewed, transportation expo
- Planning Commission tables zone change for shopping center; Boulder Creek Commons, Crossings
- Maverik acquired by FJ Management, St. George expansion
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