Council discusses Gina Road safety, treatments and funding options; property acquisition planned

Herriman staff led an extended discussion on June 11 about improvements to Gina Road, identifying it as the last unimproved corridor in the basin and outlining both short‑term treatments and full reconstruction options.

Planning staff said Gina Road was annexed in February 2009 and remains the last holdout in the area for paving and complete street improvements. Traffic counts taken May 20–28 showed an average daily traffic volume "about 200 vehicles per day," and staff reported the 80th‑percentile speeds were "sitting right at 18 miles per hour," with occasional outliers recorded as high as 61 mph.

Staff presented options that range from a surface dust control application to a full reconstruction. Short‑term measures include an application of magnesium chloride planned for late summer to reduce dust and stabilize the surface; staff said, "magnesium chloride is the most popular and most used on these types of dirt roads." Another intermediate option discussed was a cement‑treated base estimated around $90,000; full roadway construction — including curb, gutter, sidewalks, storm drain, utilities and landscape restoration — was estimated at approximately $2,100,000 (including contingency). Staff also flagged right‑of‑way and easement purchases (roughly $300,000) as part of the cost.

Council members and staff weighed utility timing tradeoffs. Installing a secondary water line now would add immediate costs (tens or hundreds of thousands) but could avoid more expensive retrofits later; alternatives include installing dry conduit now or rerouting future connections through other developments. Staff noted the water extension could be deferred and estimated it could be "5 to 10 years" before it was needed; omitting the water line now would save roughly $75,000 in immediate costs but could require larger future expenditures to bring water service in.

On funding, Unidentified Speaker (S2) proposed reclaiming about $1.8 million previously used for water infrastructure on other projects (Main Street/7300 West) to help close the funding gap for Gina Road; finance staff cautioned this would affect fund balance and the water‑rate model. Council members agreed to begin property‑acquisition steps while the city refines costs and secures hard bids. Staff said the project would be placed in the next budget amendment (target: the July meeting) and recommended beginning negotiations to acquire parcels that are blocking the right‑of‑way.

No formal vote or final funding commitment was recorded at the work meeting; council direction focused on starting property acquisition and returning with bid prices and final funding recommendations.