By May Hunter, For Iron County Today
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has prepared an Environmental Assessment, evaluating potential improvements to the South Cedar interchange of I-15 (exit 57) in Cedar City. The EA began in May 2023 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. The UDOT started preparing an environmental document to evaluate potential improvements to the South Cedar Interchange (Exit 57) in Cedar City. The process considers current and future transportation needs while evaluating any potential impacts to the natural and built environments.
The in-person public hearing took place on September 24 from 5 to 7 at Cedar Middle School. In addition to the public hearing, UDOT is accepting public comments on the proposed improvements from September 7, 2024 to October 7, 2024. UDOT encourages residents to review the Environmental Assessment materials, at the Cedar City Public Library (303 N. 100 E.), Cedar City Offices (10 N. Main Street), and UDOT Cedar City Office (1470 N. Airport Rd). Cedar City, or online and submit their feedback. Public input is an essential part of this process, with all comments carefully reviewed and considered by the project team. Visit UDOTINPUT.UTAH.GOV/SOUTHCEDAR to review the EA, watch a video overview of the key points, and to get information on how to provide comments during the 30-day comment period open through October 7.
It was just 10 years ago that the south Cedar City Interchange came online. According to a study from Avenue Consultants released in June of 2023, if no improvements are made to the south interchange, its Level of Service will be rated as F by 2030. The result could be gridlock or traffic at a stand still or slow, nearly a half mile in either direction at the intersections on both side of the interstate. The same study says that the population and employment is expected to grow by 40% in Iron County in the next 30 years. Progress is important change. Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is a progress; working together is success. Iron County has more balanced and broad-based economy than most of rural Utah.