Residents and engineers press Herriman council for stronger pedestrian protections at school crossings

Several residents and a licensed civil engineer urged the Herriman City Council on Jan. 14 to take more aggressive steps to protect students and pedestrians along the Herriman Rose Boulevard–Main Street corridor.

Gavin Nyberg, a student who addressed the council, described a bumpy, narrow sidewalk on his school route and said speed-limit signs were removed, calling for “a light at the Herriman Rose Boulevard and Main Street intersection.” Lacey Taylor, a member of the school community council, said a parent survey showed a “43% increase” in parents driving since the city’s safe-walking-route changes and warned that the route has led to more illegal U-turns, continued crossings at the old path and students jaywalking. “I’d rather wait a year and have that solution than do this one that’s proposed,” Taylor said, urging the council to prefer a signalized intersection.

Colin Ricks, a licensed civil engineer, told the council the entire stretch from 5600 West to 126 South is unsafe and cited “more than a 160 crashes on this road” since 2010. Ricks recommended lower speed limits, radar feedback signs, raised intersections, transverse markings and relocating rapid-flashing beacons as lower-cost, immediate measures. He said the Federal Highway Administration’s guidance and the city’s own traffic study and pedestrian counts support a pedestrian-controlled signal.

Mayor and Councilmember Teddy responded that no formal decision has been made about the grant or design; the council plans open houses and public hearings to present multiple scenarios and gather input before any acceptance or implementation. The council’s next steps, the mayor said, will include public outreach and additional traffic-safety analysis before adopting any changes.

The council did not vote on traffic measures during the meeting; staff and council indicated more community engagement and design options will be presented at future sessions.