CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Washington County is growing steadily, and with that growth comes the need for new ways to get around. The 18th annual Dixie Regional Transportation Expo offers a look into the state, county and city infrastructure projects that keep things moving.
Every form of transportation, from bike trails to local roads to federal highways, will be represented at this year’s expo. Local residents are encouraged to attend and become better informed on the future of transportation in the area.
“Transportation affects most of us on a daily basis,” said Sharice Walker, Region Four project communications manager for the Utah Department of Transportation. “It’s a cornerstone of the economy, but it’s also ingrained in the details of our lives, from what route we take to work and school to how much time we spend in the car.”
Returning to the Dixie Convention Center after going virtual in 2021, this year’s expo will be held Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to everyone in the community.
The event features informational booths from local government entities, including the cities of St. George, Hurricane, Washington and Ivins. Projects of interest include the expansion of 3000 East in St. George, the proposed Toquerville Bypass to reroute Zion visitor traffic and planned capacity upgrades to Interstate 15.
On display will be the St. George Regional Airport master plan and UDOT’s overview of projects in the Washington County area. SunTran will inform the public of route changes and take suggestions, Zero Fatalities will share information on safe driving behaviors and Greater Zion will provide an update on the Zion Corridor Trail and other trails in development.
Attendees will also have a chance to explore the Truck Smart virtual reality exhibit. The exhibit is designed to give drivers perspective on what truckers see – and more importantly, what they don’t see. With so many trucks traveling through St. George along I-15, Walker said she hopes Truck Smart will help people learn to navigate the freeway more safely.
Moreover, the expo is an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on projects happening in the area over the coming months and years. Residents can view concept ideas, plans and schedules for each project in addition to talking with project team members.
The Dixie Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking public input on their regional long-range transportation plan that looks ahead 30 years to forecast travel demands and infrastructure needs. These projections are used to guide local policymakers in their decisions to provide roads, trails, public transit and more.
“Hearing from our community is really the priority of this event,” Walker said. “Resident input that’s brought to us during the expo helps shape projects and becomes part of the ultimate solution.”
Many improvements and upgrades will be needed to safely accommodate the expected annual growth of 3% in Washington County. For both new and longtime residents, the expo is a great place to navigate the “who” and “how” that makes transportation infrastructure a reality.
“It’s a chance to get an idea of what’s ahead in transportation projects at different levels,” Walker said. “We’re all working together on solutions.”
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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Event details
- What: Dixie Regional Transportation Expo.
- When: Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Where: Dixie Convention Center, 1835 S. Convention Center Drive, St. George.
- Tickets: Free.
- Resources: Website.
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