Residents and council press UDOT/CMPO to study alternatives to Second East river crossing

Cindy Johnson, a River Heights resident and professional biologist, presented an environmental analysis of the proposed Second East (200 East) alignment that would cross the Logan River and run through portions of River Heights.

Johnson described three alternatives: (1) the UDOT/CMPO alignment (the plan on the current regional map) that would cross the river into River Heights, (2) a North‑of‑the‑river alignment that would remain on the river's north bank and meet Fourth South/First East, and (3) a minimal‑action alternative limited to intersection improvements and other traffic management steps. Johnson argued the North‑of‑river or minimal alternatives would avoid fragmenting roughly a 6,800‑foot contiguous riparian corridor and reduce impacts to deer winter habitat, nesting raptors and waterway functions.

Johnson said construction of the river crossing would likely require a new bridge and cited the UDOT study's preliminary bridge cost estimate of about $3,656,000. She also noted the proposed alignment would directly affect open space and the undeveloped river corridor used by residents and wildlife, and she raised concern that the UDOT study currently shows a single alignment without the other, less‑damaging options she documented.

Johnson flagged a procedural concern: UDOT has preliminarily categorized the project as qualifying for a "categorical exclusion" from more extensive environmental review, which could limit the depth of alternatives analysis unless the project is elevated to an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). She asked the council to use its positions on CMPO or otherwise to request that UDOT and the MPO include the North‑of‑river and minimal alternatives in the environmental analysis and coordinate fully with affected municipalities.

Council members expressed concern about environmental impacts, traffic safety at the proposed intersection (which Johnson described as a curve with poor visibility and multiple access points), and potential municipal cost exposure for right-of-way or other improvements. Several councilors said River Heights should oppose the current UDOT alignment if it remains on regional planning documents and asked staff to bring the CRS/Horrocks transportation study (the traffic/capacity work) to the next council meeting for review.

Mayor Blake said the city attorney indicated a council majority could send a formal letter expressing the city's views; several council members voiced opposition to the crossing alignment as presented and supported asking CRS/Horrocks to present the traffic data at the council's next meeting so the council can consider a formal written response to UDOT and the CMPO.

No final vote was taken on removal of the alignment from the plan; council direction was to gather more information, request CRS/Horrocks present its analysis at the next meeting, and consider sending a letter to UDOT/CMPO copying adjacent jurisdictions if the analysis still points to the river crossing as preferred.