2017 Fall Newsletter
A Day in the Life
of UDOT Region Three
Photo Contest Winners Announced at Summer Picnic Our annual photo contest is an opportunity to gather pictures from throughout the year.
Photos help tell the story of the work we do and places we work. This year, 16 employees submitted 111 photos that were judged in three categories: People, Places and Landscape. All photo entries were shown as a slideshow during the summer picnic at Soldier Hollow on Sept. 13 and the 29 semi-finalist photos are featured in this newsletter. Nine finalists were recognized during an awards presentation at the picnic. Winners were Terry Jacobson (People), Dale Fitzhugh (Places) and Kim Krein (Landscape). Congratulations! People Winner: “Justin Wahlberg” by Terry Jacobson Places Winner: “Rainbow over Lehi Shed” by Dale Fitzhugh Landscape Winner: “Pleasant Grove Sunrise” by Kim Krein
In this issue: Federal project ready...4 Grout curtain used in repair...6 New materials on two projects...8 AF Canyon solutions...10 Payson DEIS...11 Buffered bike lanes a first...12 SR 73 study to determine alignment...19 Message from Director Teri Newell...22 Daniels Canyon widening...25 UVU ped bridge design...26 Redwood Road under construction...27 Stuart Hoff Retires...28
People Winner: “Justin Wahlberg” by Terry Jacobson
Utah Department of Transportation, 2017 Region Three Fall News
Places Winner: “Rainbow over Lehi Shed” by Dale Fitzhugh
Landscape Winner: “Pleasant Grove Sunrise” by Kim Krein
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People Finalist: “Coring” by Dave Gill People Finalist: “Building New Shed” by Mike Cole
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Landscape Finalist: “Timp View from S.R. 75� by Pat Lowe
Federal Lands Project Ready to Construct S.R. 149, the road to Dinosaur National Monument, will be rebuilt starting this winter. Culverts and the bridge over Brush Creek will be replaced this winter and paving operations will begin in the spring. This project is funded with a special grant from the Federal Lands Access Program, which is designated to improve facilities that access federal lands.
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Finalist “Provo River” by Nena Woodmansee
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Grout Curtain used in Emergency U.S. 191 Repair U.S. 191 north of Vernal was closed May 20, 2017, after Utah Highway Patrol alerted UDOT that a portion of the road was sinking.
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Crews re-opened one lane of alternating traffic the following day and had crews on-site day and night to monitor any further damage. Spring run-off was rapidly flowing through a 10-foot culvert pipe and the water had cut its own channel adjacent to the pipe, destabilizing soils about 50 feet below the roadway. Although the problem was quickly identified, finding the best solution took a bit more time. UDOT consulted with several internal departments and invited contractors on site for their ideas. The combination of the 50-foot depth of the pipe, high water runoff flowing through the pipe and concerns about water contamination made this a challenging situation. Through our consultation with contractors, Kiewit brought the idea of a grout curtain. It was clear that the soil beneath the roadway was destabilized due to water running outside the culvert. The approach was to fill the voids with a stiff grout to stabilize the soils. The grout was a thick slurry with 10 percent concrete that was pumped into the voids around the culvert pipe. The solution is called a grout curtain because the voids were filled by using a series of borings, spaced to bring a continuous fill of grout in the unstable soils under the road. The work was able to be performed from the roadway and side slopes by boring down. Crews slowed the water entering the pipe, but water could continue to flow through it. Finally, the grout was thick enough to control the placement so that no material contaminated the water. More than 130 yards of compaction grouting were pumped into the unstable soils surrounding the culvert, including 29 yards placed in one area alone. The grout was thick enough that the pump operated at 40 psi or more. The grout curtain provided an innovative solution that addressed key concerns and challenges of stabilizing soils beneath the roadway. The compaction grouting material and technique were new to Region Three and will be considered as we look at the condition of other culverts in the region.
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Emergency repair site set up
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New Materials used on Two Pavement Projects Region Three Materials took an innovative approach to two pavement projects this year. They used a cement-treated base on S.R. 129 and hot in-place recycling on S.R. 73. Both of these innovative approaches meet UDOT’s strategic goal to Preserve Infrastructure. The goal of the S.R. 129 project was to construct a pavement that will last for 20 years. UDOT recently took jurisdiction of the road, which is carrying more traffic than it was designed and constructed to handle. Due to the increase in traffic, the asphalt layer failed prematurely. Replacing the asphalt with a thicker section was not an option because there is curb and gutter. This meant that we had to do more than a mill and overlay to get a 20 year design life. The cement-treated base increased the modulus of the untreated base layer. The cement-treated base provides the strength needed to support the amount of traffic on the road and achieve the 20 year lifespan. Although cement-treated base has been used in other regions, this was the first time it was used in Region Three.
SR-129
SR-73
Hot in-place recycling was used to rehabilitate a section of S.R. 73. The process includes heating 1.5 inches of existing HMA, which is then scarified and mixed with a rejuvenating agent. An additional 1.5 inches of new HMA is then added to the top of this mix and placed and compacted all at one time. The benefit of hot in-place recycling is that the process recycles existing material, saving money by reducing the amount of new asphalt that would have to be used and reducing haul costs. It was used on S.R. 73 because it provided the lowest cost to rehabilitate this section of roadway. Although hot in-pace recycling has been used in other regions, this was the first time it was used in Region Three. Congratulations to the Region Three Materials group for implementing these innovative approaches to preserve infrastructure this year!
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“Dedicated Employees” by Terry Jacobson
Finalist: “U.S. 6 Guardrail Removal” by Chad Allinson
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UDOT Working with Forest Service to Develop Solutions for AF Canyon UDOT and the Forest Service have developed a shared vision for safe and efficient traffic flow in American Fork Canyon. The mouth of American Fork canyon is experiencing heavy congestion on the weekends due to the information/pay booth where people stop to get information and pay for a pass. There is also heavy congestion near the trailhead of the Timpanogos trail as well as people parking along the Alpine Loop road to hike Mount Timpanogos. In addition, the new beach at Tibble Fork Reservoir is drawing a lot of new people into the canyon and the parking lot at Tibble Fork is overflowing on the weekends. In response to these parking and congestion issues, the Forest Service convened several stakeholders to discuss ideas and solutions. The group included business owners, officials from Timpanogos Cave, the Mayor of Highland City, and cabin owners. Representatives from our Lehi Maintenance Station and Rob Clayton from the TOC par2017 A Day in the Life
ticipated in the meeting on UDOT’s behalf. The Forest Service plans to meet with this group on an ongoing basis as ideas are developed into implementable solutions. In the short term, the Forest Service worked with UDOT’s Lehi Maintenance station to set up Variable Message Signs (VMS) warning people of heavy congestion on the weekends. We also discussed the potential for post-mounted VMS in American Fork Canyon. Other ideas include installing cameras that allow people to see the congestion at the mouth of the canyon to help them decide whether or not to go up the canyon and the need for a right turn lane from S.R. 92 to Canyon Road (old S.R. 146). Long-term solutions might include a shuttle service in the canyon and encouraging carpooling from the Highland parking lot near the irrigation pond.
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The preferred alternative for the I-15 Payson Main Street interchange maintains access at Main Street and provides an additional access at the future Nebo Beltway.
Payson Main Street Interchange DEIS Published The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the I-15 Payson Main Street interchange was published September 29, 2017. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the I-15 Payson Main Street interchange was published September 29, 2017. The document was available for review and public comments for 45 days. A public hearing was held October 26 to present information and receive formal comments on the Draft EIS. The Final EIS is expected to be completed in 2018. Learn more at www.udot.utah.gov/paysoneis.
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Buffered bike lanes are First on a Utah State Route Late last fall, UDOT transformed North University Avenue in Provo by installing bike lanes from 700 North to 5200 North, connecting to the Provo River Trail near the mouth of Provo Canyon.
The University Avenue project installed approximately 3 miles of buffered bike lanes and 1 mile of traditional bike lanes where a lack of width and too many access points did not allow for buffered bike lanes. The majority of the new bike lanes are buffered with a three-foot space marked with paint. The painted buffer provides a visual reminder of Utah’s law for vehicles to stay three feet away from bicyclists. This visual reminder increases the comfort-level and safety of motorists and bicyclists. The new buffered bike lanes are the first application of its kind on a state route in Utah. The University Avenue project installed approximately 3 miles of buffered bike lanes and 1 mile of traditional bike lanes where a lack of width and too many access points did not allow for buffered bike lanes. UDOT worked with Provo City and the Provo Police Department to remove parking along the road and UDOT’s paint crew installed the new striping. More than 100 signs were installed along the route, including “No Parking” and “Bike Lane” signs along with signs indicating radar detection for bicyclists at signalized intersections.
gerous for both pedestrians and cyclists if the cyclists are moving fast. We saw many people riding on the road with no bike lanes. The goal for this project was for all users to be able to use the facility safely.” The University Avenue bike lanes were identified as a project in Region Three’s active transportation plan. The region is using Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds to start implementing improvements in locations of high-use where infrastructure gaps exist. “Transportation is moving people, not just vehicles,” Parker said. “If we can get more people using other forms of transportation, we can move more people more efficiently and these bike lanes help them travel more safely.”
“The University Avenue project came about because we knew that many people use it to gain access to Provo Canyon,” said UDOT Project Manager Matt Parker. “We realized that there are different users. Many bicyclists do not want to mix with pedestrians on the Provo River Trail as it is dan2017 A Day in the Life
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“Pioneer Maintenance” by Leslie Beck
“Provo Canyon mudslide” by Mike Cole
“Urban Snow Fighters” by Mike Cole
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“Provo-Orem TRIP daytime” by Lester John
“Provo-Orem TRIP nighttime” by Lester John
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Crews Restore Signal Service after Redwood Road Crash Signal and maintenance crews took quick action to restore safe operations at a busy intersection in Saratoga Springs after a crash took out a mast arm of traffic signals. On Friday, Aug. 11, just after 9 p.m., a crane truck with its boom extended hooked the signal mast arm at the intersection of Redwood Road and Pioneer Crossing, wiping off all devices including the signal heads, signs and detection units. The mast arm caused the truck to flip on its side. Although the mast arm did not come down completely, the foundation was cracked and the anchor bolts were bent. As a safety precaution, the mast arm was taken down and a span wire was installed. Jersey barriers were used to anchor the span wire attached to street lights. Crews mounted three signal heads and a sensor to get the the signal reprogrammed and fully operational by 5:30 a.m. the next morning.
The crews who restored temporary and permanent service showed their dedication to UDOT’s strategic goals of Zero Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities and to Optimize Mobility. Craig Hamilton and Mike Cole from UDOT responded immediately. Eric Ward and his crew at Cache Valley Electric dropped everything to assist in this effort. UDOT traffic signal engineer Adam Lough spent the night on-site to oversee restoration of temporary service and he coordinated installation of the permanent mast arm and signals. Our employees and our contractors are truly committed to keeping Utah moving!
Key to accomplishing this work was traffic control provided by Saratoga Springs Police and the region’s maintenance on-call barricade service. Crews closed the west leg of the intersection, creating a T intersection, so that they could work on restoring traffic signal service. A new signal pole foundation was installed on the following Tuesday, Aug. 15, using high strength, early cure concrete. On Friday, Aug. 18 the new mast arm was installed along with signs, heads, streetlights and detection devices. Within one week following the incident, the signal was fully connected and programmed and the single span wire and old pole foundation were removed.
UDOT Region Three
Signal crash clean-up. Within one week following a crash on Redwood Road at Pioneer Crossing, a damaged signal was fully connected and programmed, thanks to dediated employees and contractors.
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“Region Three Complex” by Pat Lowe
“Vernal Shed Demo” by Reed Sleight
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“Big horn sheep” by Mike Cole
“Spanish Fork paving” by Terry Jacobson UDOT Region Three
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Corridor Agreement Outlines Plan for Geneva Roads UDOT worked with the Vineyard Town and Orem City to develop a corridor agreement for Geneva Road. One of Utah County’s busiest state roads, Geneva Road is the primary north-south route west of I-15 where new high-density residential and commercial developments are being built. Since the Geneva Steel property became available for different land uses, both Vineyard and Orem have worked with UDOT to create a plan that will safely move people and goods. The written corridor plan has been vetted with all parties and is awaiting formal action from local jurisdictions in the form of signatures. The corridor plan identifies shared goals that will keep Utah moving and uphold UDOT’s goals for Zero Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities and to Optimize Mobility. The corridor agreement identifies property access locations and which intersections will be signalized. The corridor agreement process facilitated a holistic look at the corridor. The cities can now enforce access locations and signalization plans as individual properties are developed in order to maintain safe and smooth traffic flow. Through the corridor agreement, the cities are partners with UDOT in enforcing access management standards. Vineyard Town and Orem City requested to meet with UDOT so we could work together to keep Geneva Road a
smooth flowing facility as undeveloped property is built out. Based on growth projections, the road will need to be widened to seven lanes in the future and ingress and egress is very important. After learning about general and some specific development plans, UDOT prepared a draft agreement for all parties to review. The corridor plan includes a concept plan for the future widened road, as well. In addition to identifying access locations and future signalization, the agreement includes concurrence with the plan to eliminate the skewed railroad crossing at 400 North and that the future widening to seven lanes is, in part, a product of the railroad being moved away from Geneva Road. UDOT Region Three Urban Traffic Engineer Doug Bassett worked with Paul Goodrich from Orem City and Don Overson from Vineyard Town to negotiate details of the corridor agreement with input from Traffic and Safety Manager Brian Phillips, Project Manager Justin Schellenberg and Region Director Teri Newell. The corridor agreement ensures that traffic will continue to flow safely and smoothly as property is developed, keeping Utah moving.
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S.R. 73 Environmental Study Determining Alignment for Freeway with Frontage Roads A state environmental study has started on S. R. 73. Based on a previous planning study, the team is evaluating the best alignment for a future freeway with frontage roads. The first phase of widening to a freeway is shown as needed by the year 2024 in the Long Range Transportation Plan. Current traffic projections show the road in failure due to congestion by the year 2020. The draft study is expected to be published for public review in Spring 2018.
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“Springville sky” by Pat Lowe
“Frontage road” by Pat Lowe
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“Sunrise over Region Three” by Nena Woodmansee
“Sunrise over Region Three” by Nena Woodmansee UDOT Region Three
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Message from Teri Newell, Region Three Director
Telling Our Own Stories In the past few months, we formed a Safety Leadership Team made up of our district engineers and area supervisors. Although we do not currently have a safety manager, together we decided to leave the position vacant for a while as we determine our approach to safety – recognizing that safety is not the job of one individual, but all of us. One of our ideas is to focus toolbox talks on our own experiences with safety. Whether it was a safety mishap or nearmiss, we want to share our stories and learn from each other. For example, Terry Jacobson’s snowplow crash really brings home the need to wear a seat belt. You never know when an errant vehicle might clip you, so buckle up! Terry survived that crash because the seatbelt held him in the vehicle rather than being thrown from it. The safety committee has brainstormed a list of stories that we want to tell. You might have some to contribute, too. By talking about our near-misses and previous problems, the risks are real and relevant. These stories are about people we know who are working places we’ve been. Because the stories involve people we know and care about, we hope the safety message hits home. If you have a safety story or near-miss to share, contact Eileen Barron (ebarron@utah.gov; 801-244-7412). She will set up a brief phone interview to capture your story. We’ll start sharing our own stories for toolbox talks at the start of the new year.
The summer picnic was held at Soldier Hollow followed by a bike ride on the WOW trail. Thanks to the admin group for organizing this year! 2017 A Day in the Life
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“Rest area” by Pat Lowe
“View from Saratoga” by Leslie Beck “Thistle” by Pat Lowe
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“Daniels Canyon widening� four photos by Shawn Davis
Daniels Canyon Shoulder Widening Widened shoulders in Daniels Canyon were built in 2017. This project was identified to improve safety for the traveling public and our crews. The shoulders provide more space to pull off the road in an emergency and for maintenance work.
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UVU Ped Bridge Design Underway UDOT is working with Utah Valley University and UTA to design a structure across I-15 that will connect the Orem FrontRunner station with the UVU campus. Today, a shuttle bus transports students from the station to campus. The pedestrian bridge will provide an opportunity for students to have a direct connection without having to wait. The bridge is also anticipated to encourage increased transit use among students since parking space is limited. Together, UDOT, UVU and UTA are looking for ways to safely and efficiently move people without needing to rely on cars.
“Bicycling� by Matt Parker
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Redwood Road Under Construction Redwood Reconstruction is underway in Saratoga Springs. We repaved 10 miles of rural roadway south of the city and started the widening from 400 South to Lake View Terrace Road. Next year, we will continue the widening from Lake View Terrace Road to Village Parkway and convert the intersection with Pioneer Crossing to the continuous flow intersection. Learn more about this project at www.udot.utah. gov/redwoodsaratoga
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Congratulations to Stuart Hoff for His Retirement An open house was held September 26 to honor Stuart and thank him for his years of service. Best wishes!
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