By Charles Pekow
A federal go-ahead has been granted for the Porter Rockwell Boulevard Project in Salt Lake County. The project will include a bike path along the roadway and a connector bike trail to the Jordan River Parkway Trail (JRPT). The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the project after adopting an environmental assessment finding in October saying it would not significantly harm the environment.
Anyone who disagrees with the finding can file suit until March 7, the end of a six-month deadline to challenge such matters. Russ Robertson, the FHWA’s project delivery team manager in Utah, says “we are not aware of any controversy.” But he says “it’s an expensive project and it is unfunded.” The City of Bluffdale approved it.
The project calls for widening the boulevard and constructing a multi-use trail to accompany it. It includes building two bridges, both with room for bicycle traffic. One would cross the Jordan River; the other the Union Pacific Railroad/Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner tracks.
The connector trail to JRPT would require some reconstruction and realignment of the existing trail so that it meets the connector beneath the roadway.
The planned trail along the boulevard would also connect with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
