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Orderville seeks UDOT review to move downtown crosswalk; board to host state rep May 7
Summary
Residents and school officials urged moving the town crosswalk to the center of Orderville to qualify for a traffic signal or other state intervention. Utah Department of Transportation will send a representative to the May 7 board meeting for updated traffic data and recommendations.
Residents, school staff and town officials asked the Orderville Town Board to press the Utah Department of Transportation to re-evaluate a downtown pedestrian crossing and consider moving the existing crosswalk to the center of town to qualify the site for a traffic signal.
David Pratt, who said he worked with local school staff and a state road representative, told the board that UDOT will not install a signal at the current crosswalk because the surrounding layout creates a three‑way approach. Pratt said UDOT would revisit the town’s request if the crosswalk location were changed; he arranged for the agency to send a representative to the board’s May 7 meeting.
School staff and parents told the board they are concerned about student and pedestrian safety at the current highway crossing. The elementary school is changing its pickup pattern after spring break, the presenter said, and the principal supported moving the crosswalk so the school zone would cover a longer stretch and protect more children during drop‑off and pickup.
UDOT previously did a pedestrian count during winter and reported low crossing volumes, officials said; that survey result meant UDOT would not proceed and would not retest for two years. Town representatives urged UDOT to perform traffic counts again during busier months and asked that the agency bring updated data to the May 7 meeting.
Speakers discussed possible treatments that could slow traffic or increase visibility, including relocating flashing speed signs for earlier driver notice and installing stop lines. Board members and residents raised questions about whether a pedestrian hybrid beacon, a stoplight or another treatment would qualify under state rules; several speakers said the state has stopped installing some kinds of flashing red beacons and that signals are regulated under highway standards.
The board voted to invite a UDOT representative to Orderville on May 7 to present updated counts and engineering guidance. Members asked staff to gather specific questions and to meet with school officials to ensure UDOT sees data for peak pickup and drop‑off times.
