UDOT adds public comment period for design of 700 South/I-15 interchange

ST. GEORGE — A proposal to build an interchange on Interstate 15 connecting to 700 South garnered one of the largest public responses the Utah Department of Transportation has seen for a pending road project.

In this file photo, Ryan Anderson, a project manager for UDOT, speaks to the St. George City Council concerning the proposed 700 South interchange project, St. George, Utah, June 30, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler. St. George News

Because of this, the state agency has announced a new public comment period focused on preliminary designs for the interchange.

“The nearly 250 public comments we received after our public scoping meeting in May included some very robust, informed and helpful feedback” Ryan Anderson, UDOT Region Four preconstruction engineer, said in a press release. “We’ve decided to conduct these additional public meetings and a comment period in response to the community’s desire for transparency and more opportunities to be involved.”

The new comment period runs Nov. 11-Dec. 10.

UDOT announced earlier this year that it is considering building an interchange on I-15 connecting to 700 South in downtown St. George. The reasoning behind building the interchange in that location is to help ease current and future congestion at the nearby Dixie Drive/Exit 6 and St. George Boulevard/Exit 8 interchanges.

Congestion at the Exit 6 and 8 interchanges is projected to rise by 20% by 2050 if nothing is done to address the issue beforehand, according to UDOT’s data.

During a project update given by UDOT to the St. George City Council in late June, Anderson said they received 247 comments through online and public meetings. The quantity and quality of the comments impressed UDOT officials to the point they decided to add a public comment period.

Holding the additional meeting is a rare move on UDOT’s part, Anderson told the City Council at the time and added that UDOT wants the public involved in helping shape what is to come due to the heavy interest the community has shown thus far.

In this file photo, members of the public attend an open house meeting for the proposed 700 South interchange project hosted by the Utah Department of Transportation at the Atwood Innovation Plaza, St. George, Utah, May 4, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

“We want this (process) to be as transparent as possible,” he said. “We’re not here to force anything upon anyone.”

Items residents and other stakeholders in the area around the proposed 700 South interchange touched on back in May included vehicle traffic concerns, a want for improved active transportation routes through the area, worries over right of way (whose homes or businesses may be subject to taking), as well as a desire for better connectivity between the east and west sides of St. George while also preserving the character of the neighborhood as much as possible.

The preliminary alternatives (designs) for the proposed 700 South interchange will be posted to the project’s website for public review starting Friday, Nov. 11. Meetings will be held Nov. 15 and 16 with the same information presented at both.

Online Meeting: Nov. 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. held via Zoom. Register in advance on the study website.

In-Person Open House: Nov. 16 from 4-7 p.m. at Atwood Innovation Plaza at Utah Tech University, 453 S. 600 E. in St. George.

There will be identical presentations at 4 p.m and 6 p.m with study team members available to provide information and answer questions during the open house from 4:30-7 p.m.

Comments can be submitted at the in-person public meeting, on the study website, by email or mailed to I-15 St. George Study Team, 113 N. 200 E., Suite 3, St. George, UT 84770.

The public comment period is a part of an overall requirement of such projects called an Environmental Assessment. Due to the addition of the new comment period, the completion of the assessment has been passed to early summer 2023. A public hearing will be held in 2023 when UDOT publishes the Environmental Assessment which will highlight one preferred alternative that will be available for public feedback.

For more information and to stay informed about study progress and future public engagement opportunities, visit the study website and sign up for email updates.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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