WFRC seeks quick feedback on UDOT functional classification draft for Salt Lake County

Wasatch Front Regional Council staff asked local governments on the committee to review a draft update to the statewide roadway functional classification system prepared by the Utah Department of Transportation and submit any suggested changes by the end of the week.

Wayne Bennion of the Wasatch Front Regional Council briefed the committee on the UDOT-led effort to update functional classifications that follows the decennial census. "We're interested in getting your input on the existing functional classification system as well as a handful of proposed, draft, changes to that system," Bennion said, asking members to identify roads that function as collectors or arterials but are not designated as such or facilities whose current designation no longer matches their function.

The update follows a routine post-census process in which states smooth urban boundaries defined by the U.S. Census Bureau and then revise the statewide functional classification system to reflect changes in regional travel patterns. Bennion displayed a color-coded map showing interstates, principal and minor arterials, major and minor collectors, and expressways, and pointed to a handful of draft changes in Salt Lake County including conversion proposals on Bangerter Highway and Mountain View Corridor and several collector adjustments.

Bennion said the draft map generally includes facilities expected to be built within three to four years; projects not expected to be built in that timeframe need not appear on this map. He asked committee members to either speak up in the meeting or email suggested edits to him; meeting facilitator Jordan posted a link in the chat to UDOT's current functional-classification map and to slides with draft changes.

The council will assemble the local comments and pass them to UDOT. Bennion emphasized the short timeline: "We are interested in getting any feedback by the end of this week." The committee did not take a formal vote on the item but recorded the request for local governments to respond by the stated deadline.

Staff and officials who want to comment were told to email Wayne Bennion (email provided in the meeting chat) or to share suggestions immediately in the meeting for clarification.

The presentation and the draft map are intended to capture both existing and near-term planned facilities; Bennion asked jurisdictions to focus comments on facilities that reflect actual function or that are expected to be built in the next three to four years.