Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
UDOT presents Emerging Area Study for Carbon County, outlines five goals and grant resources
Summary
UDOT staff presented an Emerging Area Study for Carbon County recommending goals for transportation, economic diversification, housing, community engagement and health; the team highlighted grant opportunities and a Price–Carbonville trail feasibility study and answered commissioners' questions.
Dan Hinckley, district engineer for the Utah Department of Transportation, told the Carbon County Commission on June 19 that UDOT identified Carbon County as an area likely to see additional growth and presented an Emerging Area Study designed to prepare local infrastructure and services.
The study centers on five goals: provide local and regional transportation options; expand and diversify economic growth; expand and diversify small-town housing; improve community pride and engagement; and improve overall health and well-being. "My name is Dan Hinckley. I am the district engineer for UDOT," Hinckley said as he outlined the plan and the study process.
UDOT staff described extensive stakeholder engagement that began in summer 2023, including workshops with local governments and a countywide public survey that drew "a few dozen" responses. The presentation listed partners including Price City, Wellington City, Helper City, East Carbon City and an invited university participant and emphasized mapping, technical assistance and grant resources to support local planning and implementation. Chris Hall, the region planning engineer, and other team members offered to help local entities pursue transportation-related grants.
The study identifies potential actions ranging from maintaining and improving road quality to exploring a regional transit option, expanding access to water resources necessary for housing development and supporting tourism and alternative energy. Hinckley said UDOT has started a Utah Trail Network study that includes a feasibility project to connect a trail from Price to Carbonville.
Commissioners asked who participated in the engagement and how the public can access the study. Hinckley said UDOT would host the material on the Region 4 website and provide a short interim link (shorter.me/carboncounty) while site placement is finalized. He emphasized that the plan is intended as a living work plan: "We can update the website if we need to as things get done," he said.
No formal action was taken; the presentation was received as an informational report and the commission thanked UDOT for the work.
The next procedural step, as described by UDOT staff, is to continue collaboration with local jurisdictions to pursue identified tasks and to use available grant filters on the study website to match funding opportunities to local needs.
