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Senate backs $3.75 million bid for Bangor Highway pedestrian safety improvements
Summary
S.B. 145, a $3.75 million safety request to add pedestrian overpasses and other traffic-safety measures on Bangor Highway after a fatality, passed the Senate to third reading after senators described local contributions and urged prioritization.
Senator Peterson introduced S.B. 145, a measure seeking $3,750,000 for pedestrian overpasses and other safety upgrades along Bangor Highway, citing a recent fatality that left local leaders and families pressing for improved crossings.
Peterson described the highway as deceptively high-speed through community areas with churches and schools and said crossing times were insufficient for pedestrians (noting a 32-second crosswalk example across nine lanes). He said the bill is intended primarily as a safety appropriation and said he could offer an amendment to change funding sources from general funds to transportation funds, though he preferred leaving the appropriation in the general fund to avoid further pressure on transportation accounts.
Multiple senators voiced support, noting community fundraising and local commitments (West Valley City pledged $100,000, UDOT $250,000, county cooperation and donated materials) and urging a prioritization process rather than politically directed allocations. The Senate called the question and S.B. 145 was reported out with 18 ayes, 7 nays and 4 absences and advanced to the third-reading calendar.
Next steps: S.B. 145 advanced to third reading; sponsors and local officials will pursue funding prioritization and community contributions for design and construction.
