Planning Staff Proposes 250 Daily Trip Cap for Higley Road Traffic Management

The Tooele County Planning Commission convened on July 16, 2025, to discuss critical zoning requests and traffic management related to the development of the Inland Port area. The meeting focused on the potential impact of increased traffic on Higley Road, which is currently under scrutiny due to its capacity limitations.

The primary agenda item addressed the recommendation from planning staff regarding a cap on daily traffic trips for the proposed rezone area. Staff proposed that the maximum number of trips allowed be limited to 250 per day until Higley Road is sufficiently improved. This recommendation stems from an engineering assessment indicating that the road could handle a maximum of 400 trips, while current counts show approximately 150 trips from existing businesses.

Planning staff emphasized the need for each future business to provide an estimate of their expected daily trips as part of the development process. This measure aims to ensure that traffic does not exceed the established cap, allowing for better management of road usage until necessary improvements are made.

Concerns were raised about the enforcement of this traffic cap. Commission members discussed the possibility of contracting with a traffic engineer to conduct periodic traffic counts, potentially every one to two years, to monitor compliance with the trip limit. The discussion highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for improvements to Higley Road, which is contingent on the Inland Port's development plans.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the importance of proactive traffic management in the face of anticipated growth in the area. The Planning Commission's recommendations aim to balance development needs with infrastructure capabilities, ensuring that Higley Road remains safe and functional for current and future users. Further discussions and follow-up actions will be necessary as development progresses and the situation evolves.