The Utah Transportation Commission voted to add funds to a Salt Lake City mobility and environmental impact analysis that state law (Senate Bill 195) requires for the greater downtown area.

UDOT had previously received $750,000 to study the effect of a proposed highway‑reduction strategy on mobility, air quality, pedestrian and bicycle activity, truck movements, and the local economy. Staff asked for an additional $150,000 to improve data and modeling to better demonstrate impacts, and commissioners approved the increase.

During discussion, Commissioner Lisa Zundel (UDOT deputy director) confirmed that the legislation and the expanded scope include safety analysis. After a commission member asked that safety be specifically reflected in the voted motion, staff agreed to add wording that the study will address safety using standard methods such as the Highway Safety Manual.

What happens next: UDOT said the expanded work will improve the study’s ability to show consequences of any downtown highway changes, with results returned to the commission as the analysis proceeds.