Little Cottonwood Pilot Intersections User Feedback Survey
February 2019
Together, the Central Wasatch Commission and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) are tackling traffic congestion in the Cottonwood Canyons. The revised Little Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Impact Statement (LCC EIS) will address the feasibility for avalanche sheds, lane improvements, trailhead parking, and improvements to Wasatch Boulevard. The Cottonwood Canyons Transportation Action Plan will address the feasibility for tolling, traffic congestion, transit options, and pedestrian and bike facilities.
As part of the revised LCC EIS, temporary “High-T” intersections have been installed at Alta Wildcat Base parking area and Snowbird Entry 4. These intersections are designed to improve traffic flow by allowing drivers turning out of these parking areas to merge with down-canyon traffic in a dedicated lane. This moves the merge point farther away from the exits and improves the flow of down-canyon traffic.
UDOT is monitoring traffic data to evaluate the functioning level of the intersections, and we are asking you to tell us about your experience using them. Please share your observations with us by giving feedback below.[/vc_column_text]
This photo shows the recently installed temporary High-T Intersection at the Alta Wildcat base parking area in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
The High-T intersections are effective at creating a safer and less-agressive means to enter the downhill traffic. These features also segregate long down-canyon traffic from those turning into resorts.
Skiers and resort managers recognize that High-T intersections do not actually lower overall down-canyon traffic times, unless you are from the group that leaves by Snowbird Entry #1, where skiers “in the know” exit to enjoy an exclusive center lane all the way down to the actual merge point above White Pine, where they cut into the main line. This situation adds to the backup of all other down-canyon traffic, which enters from above Snowbird Entry #1.
Many believe that we should test the removal (with orange cones) of all but 300 feet of the Entry #1 down-canyon merge lane. This will restore the more equitable pattern of alternating cars, which will affectively increase the down-canyon flow rate for all traffic entering from Snowbird Entries 2, 3, 4 (bypass) and Alta’s Wildcat and Albion.
Further down the canyon it is clear that traffic (driver) behavior becomes agressive where a 2nd lane re-appears at Mabird and Tanners. This is where the “entitled” drivers often exceed safe driving speed limits to make their moves to gain position (maybe 1-4 cars). To create a safer traffic condition Canyon Police have tested removal of the center lane with cones to great success.
Eventually (hopefully soon), we will replace the unstable, bumper-to-bumper auto-based system with a higher-capacity, safer, cleaner and more stable public transit system of buses and shuttles.
Thanks for your comment, and thoughts, Brian. If you would like to leave an official comment, please see the link at the button above.
Great information As part of the revised LCC EIS, temporary “High-T” intersections have been installed at Alta Wildcat Base parking area and Snowbird Entry 4. These intersections are designed to improve traffic flow by allowing drivers turning out of these parking areas to merge with down-canyon traffic in a dedicated lane.
Great information Together, the Central Wasatch Commission and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) are tackling traffic congestion in the Cottonwood Canyons. The revised Little Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Impact Statement (LCC EIS) will address the feasibility for avalanche sheds, lane improvements, trailhead parking, and improvements to Wasatch Boulevard. The Cottonwood Canyons Transportation Action Plan will address the feasibility for tolling,