How True This is For Our Residents June 17, 2009 Standard-Examiner SERVING THE TOP OF UTAH SINCE 1888 Lee Carter, Publisher Andy Howell, Executive Editor Ron Thornburg, Editor, News & Circulation Doug Gibson, Editorial Page Editor view Of orange cones and road mazes 1 f you are a driver on too many Top of Utah freeways, highways and roads, you must feel like an explorer. Just , getting to destinations you used to be able to jaunt to in a few minutes has changed into seemingly impenetrable mazes, blocked off by ubiquitous orange c^ies—and more rarely — workers. Drivers need a personal, constant-changing GPS implanted in their brains to avoid long delays and fender-benders. At best, all this roadwork confusion is a major pain in the rear. At worst, it can be deadly. It seems that the rush to grab stimulus money has started a literal road rash o||public works projects. But how much is really getting done so far? What we do see is mostly a sea of orange cones on the roads. In Junction City, to drive on Wall Avenue, Washington levard and 12th Street. It is absurdly icult to traverse. Riverdale Road is a ifge pain for commuters as well. Where fi the planning one would expect from e and local officials to make this a little more resident-friendly? We understand the desire to grab free ley, and we'll be very happy when all jse roads look nicer, but it's important to remember that massive road construction projects should not be dumped on communities in one large swoop. There are severe costs associated with such haste. One is for drivers, who waste time and fuel creating mazes to get from their home to a major road or to handle family duties such as taking children to school or summer activities. Another cost is that it hurts businesses that are partially blocked off from consumer traffic. This is certainly a risk that local buisnesses can expect to take, and sometimes it's needed, but in this case it is overwhelming for many small businesses. Finally, there is a deadly risk. Commuters and passengers on parts of Interstate 15 risk their lives driving in narrow lanes that do not have a safety shoulder. If a car loses power in those area, there's really little escape. The driver and occupants are in severe danger of autos packed in the same lane driving at high speeds. We understand that there are well- meant intentions behind the road construction. And a lot of people are working hard to improve Utah roads. But the evidence that it has been managed poorly is obvious to every driver who must traverse those orange cone mazes. 56 June 16, 2009 Marriott-Slaterville Planning Commission 7 p.m., 1570 W. 400 North Public hearing, consider proposed zoning ordinance amendment allowing motor vehicle storage as conditional use in A-1 zone in some circumstances Discuss/action on: public hearing; CUP 08-03, Ben Opheikens, possible revoke for alleged violations, 812 W. 17th St.; Riverside Industrial Park, 1st amendment, Lot 2, making lot line adjustment, Advantage Drywall, 1285 S. 1850 West