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Magna staff and MSD outline fixes after new high school triggers severe morning backups
Summary
Magna City staff and MSD traffic engineer Ian Hartman told the council that the new high school produced heavier‑than‑expected drop‑off volumes, causing morning backups that reduced from about 1 hour 45 minutes to roughly 30 minutes after signal work, striping and on‑campus queuing; staff said more changes — including restriping and potential dual left-turn lanes — are under evaluation.
Magna City staff and Mountainland Service District (MSD) traffic engineer Ian Hartman presented a series of operational changes and near‑term options after the opening of the new high school produced unexpectedly heavy drop‑off volumes.
Hartman said school registrations were about 2,700 but roughly 3,000 students arrived on the first day, and bus service at the new campus grew from about six buses to 14. That surge, combined with a single ingress/egress configuration for portions of the neighborhood, produced morning backups that staff estimated at about 1 hour 45 minutes on opening day. After temporary traffic pattern changes, drone monitoring, on‑site crews and activation of a UDOT signal with functioning detection, Hartman said average morning queuing was cut to roughly 30 minutes, though “hot spots” remain and parking on local streets continues to hinder emergency access.
Hartman described a multi‑pronged approach: maximize on‑campus queuing and use four defined drop‑off zones on campus; adjust signal timing iteratively with UDOT’s traffic operations center; restripe Cordero Drive between Cloud Peak Drive and 8400 West to add additional travel/storage lanes if UDOT approves a dual eastbound left; and collect turning‑movement and pedestrian counts this week to inform a signal warrant study and further striping or stop controls. He said a raised crosswalk in front of the LDS seminary and new school pavement markings were part of the mitigations already in place.
Council members asked about student pedestrian behavior against crossing signals and urged multilingual signage; staff said maps had been distributed in English and Spanish and that the Spanish materials improved compliance. Staff also confirmed coordination with the school district on signage and parent messaging.
Staff emphasized that signal timing is iterative as drivers change routes and behavior, and that further changes will be based on the turning‑movement and pedestrian counts expected by the end of the week. Hartman said an east‑leg rebuild by the developer Ivory Homes is expected in 2026 and could affect long‑term circulation plans.
The council did not take formal action but asked staff to return with the count data and signal warrant analysis for further consideration.
