MPOs report progress on SB195 connectivity requirement; cities advised to identify priority connections and funding
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Summary
Four metropolitan planning organizations told the committee how they are assisting cities to meet SB195 requirements for identifying priority transportation connections, obstacles, and potential funding. MPOs offered technical tools, mapping, and limited technical-assistance funding to support local plan updates.
Representatives from the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), Dixie MPO and Cache MPO briefed the committee on progress implementing Senate Bill 195’s requirement that municipalities inside MPO areas identify priority transportation connections and potential funding sources.
Miranda Jones Cox of WFRC said SB195 requires cities in MPO regions to identify connections that reduce impediments and improve access by vehicle, transit, bicycle or foot, then to add those connections to their general plans before July 2027. Cities must also identify impediments and possible funding sources.
MAG, WFRC and the smaller MPOs reported they have compiled tools and resources — including a “street connectivity guide,” a story map with downloadable data to identify low-connectivity areas, and technical-assistance grants (TAC/TLC programs) to help cities update plans and ordinances. Jonathan Knapton of MAG said a statewide grid-network study, funded and scoped in 2024–25, has identified roughly 300 candidate concepts that could remedy regional connectivity gaps.
MPO staff said outreach to local governments shows varying levels of readiness. MAG reported responses from 14 of 24 cities in its region; WFRC reported responses from 20 of 51 cities. Officials said many municipalities have started updates or budgeted consultant help; some cited right-of-way, cost, development patterns and topography as impediments.
Speakers from Dixie and Cache MPOs described local examples where barriers such as freeways or rivers bisected communities and where underpasses, bridges or new collector alignments have been pursued to restore connectivity. Cache MPO noted recent bridge and connector projects in Logan and thanked UDOT for support. MPO staff said the legislature-funded grid study and SB195’s municipal requirement are complementary and intended to prompt local plan updates and prioritized investments.
No committee action was taken; MPOs said they will continue outreach and provide technical materials to cities. Committee members asked about time horizons and recommended that cities consider long-range build-out when identifying connections and preserving corridors.