Citizens are not getting full story about the Northern Corridor
While walking the Grapevine Trail in our county’s Red Cliffs National Conservation Area recently, I gave much thought to the value of this protected area, the combined Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and NCA, which take up 62,000 acres in our 1,552,640-acre county. It amounts to only 4 percent of our county’s land but gets much press attention due to the determined effort by local leaders who are intent on undermining it with a highway: the proposed Northern Corridor.
For those who are new to our area, the Red Cliffs NCA — most of which is just north of downtown St. George — was created in 2009 and occupies most of the former Red Cliffs Desert Reserve established over 20 years ago to protect threatened and endangered species in Washington County while allowing development to occur on over 300,000 acres.
During a recent public comment period pertaining to the proposed highway right-of-way, many of the nearly 20,000 comments provided focused on the solitude and peace that the area provides, even though it’s ensconced in one of the fastest growing counties in the country. One comment by a local veteran noted the help it provides for his PTSD while walking in the area. The peace and tranquility it provides is a precious and priceless value.
However, as I walked the Grapevine Trail and caught glimpses of I-15 in the distance, the noise from that highway was clearly audible on that particular trail. I’m sure that those who hike or horseback on trails further inside the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and NCA will have their experience impacted by noise from the proposed Northern Corridor given the way noise carries.
But noise is only one of the negative impacts from the proposed highway.
In spite of the county’s effort to build the Northern Corridor highway, using our looming traffic problems as an excuse, there are options that the county is not pushing because they do not suit the county’s agenda, which is to secure the highway at any cost. A major flaw in the county’s planning is that it has offered only one option in its attempt to deal with transportation challenges for moving east-west traffic. There are other options. This is not fair to the public, who will be paying for the Northern Corridor. It will not solve congestion problems, as has been made clear by the county’s own transportation plans.
For example, the Northern Corridor would cost $150 million including all connecting roads while a Red Hills Parkway to I-15 flyover would cost $17 million.
It would be good for the public to review and consider the Community Transportation Alternative offered by Conserve Southwest Utah when thinking about transportation needs and opportunities for making better decisions for our county. Use this link to get details on the CTA. Here are some other ideas presented there:
—Red Hills Parkway and Buena Vista Boulevard improvements between I-15 exits 8 and 13.
—One-way synchronized (timed traffic lights) loop in downtown St. George using St. George Boulevard and Tabernacle Street.
—Underpasses beneath I-15 at 2450 E (or optionally at East Ridge) and 400 E.
—Transit Systems to relieve commuter and business congestion.
—Implementation of Vision Dixie Smart Growth Principles that focus growth in walkable centers, build balanced transportation, and guard signature scenic landscapes.
Citizens need to keep in mind that the southern and southeastern areas of the county are projected to be the high-growth areas and high-employment areas. Although some growth will occur to the north of St. George along State Route 18, the proposed Northern Corridor route that would run from I-15 Exit 13 and intersect already-busy Red Hills Parkway, barely outside the core of St. George, would not serve that area well as it grows. As this county’s population grows, a road avoiding the central area of St. George further to the north would better serve those areas, and the cost could be more manageable at that time. Just as the Southern Parkway further south was considered reasonable, a further north route may be also.
In any case, citizens are not being given the whole picture by leaders and planners. City councils are currently being asked by the county to support a resolution calling for approval of the Northern Corridor right-of-way though the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and NCA. But it appears that the real value of the 62,000 acre protected area is being lost in the discussion. People come from near and far to enjoy the solitude that the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and NCA offers. Perhaps we can’t put a firm dollar amount on that, but value does not necessarily need to be quantified in economic terms.
It’s worth noting again that a deal was struck over 20 years ago — in good faith — to protect the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and NCA area so county-wide development could occur.
We need to honor those commitments.
The upcoming Feb. 11 Transportation Expo will give the public another opportunity to comment on the proposed Northern Corridor highway. Opposition has been strong at past expos. At the 2019 Dixie Transportation Expo, 45 comments addressed the Northern Corridor directly. Fifty-eight percent of them were against the Northern Corridor. As more people learn about what options are not being fairly considered, more become concerned about the value of this expensive but ineffective highway.
The 2020 Dixie Transportation Expo will take place Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Dixie Convention Center and is open to the public. Those who also want to review the current 2019-2050 Regional Transportation Plan can go to dixiempo.wordpress.com/2019-2050-regional-transportation-plan to view the plan.
Citizens need the full story and options before buying into the Northern Corridor highway.
The viewpoints expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Independent.
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