Immigration Canyon council approves hiring of consultants for contested road-improvement study amid strong resident opposition

The Immigration Canyon City Council voted to hire Avenue Consultants to begin Phase 1 of a road-improvement design study after city staff said the work is necessary to secure $6.5 million in federal and state grant funding for drainage, slope stabilization, guardrails and bike-lane options.

City project manager Tamara told the council the grant’s breakdown lists a $6,500,000 project value with a federal contribution of $3,000,000, a state contribution of $3,100,000 and a required local match of $361,640; she said the city currently has $265,960 available and would need to identify additional local funds for fiscal 2027 to proceed. “For fiscal year 27, we need additional funds,” Tamara said, adding the council could request $100,000 to cover the local match or up to $245,000 to fully fund the Phase 1 study so the city could still opt not to proceed to Phase 2 without additional debt.

The study’s design scope covers public involvement, environmental evaluation, topography and right-of-way mapping, utility mapping, preliminary solutions and a 30% design deliverable. Tamara said UDOT and the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) will evaluate options for uphill and downhill bike lanes but that officials could not confirm how much bike-lane length would be needed to preserve grant eligibility until proposed designs are available.

Residents who spoke during public comment urged the council to pause and pursue lower-cost safety measures instead. “If safety and livability are the goals, lane widening is the wrong tool,” said Tom McFarland, who urged lowering the posted speed to 35 mph and greater diligence on property boundaries and acquisition risks. Multiple residents warned that widening or adding bike lanes could require taking private land, harm the creek and wildlife and increase traffic and noise.

Council members pressed staff on procurement and whether the council had an opportunity to review the RFP; one council member asked why the consultant selection proceeded without greater council involvement. Tamara said Avenue Consultants was selected following review of multiple firms and that hiring is pending formal contract approval by the MSD. The council adopted the motion to hire Avenue Consultants by voice vote.

Staff repeatedly underscored a trade-off: declining grant funding could mean losing the opportunity to install slope stabilization, drainage improvements and safety upgrades funded by the grant, while proceeding risks community controversy and potential costly property acquisitions depending on the final design. Tamara warned that if the city proceeds with Phase 1 and then opts not to continue, the city would be liable to repay expended grant funds for Phase 1.

The council directed staff to move forward with the consultant contract and prepare for Phase 1 public involvement, which will include an open house and one public hearing; staff encouraged residents to submit comments to the consultant and attend the public meetings.