IN THE MAY ISSUE

Happy National Bike Month! As the days get longer and temperatures rise, we hope you will be able to get out to safely enjoy the paths and open spaces along the Wasatch Front.

As many of us are too keenly aware, there have been numerous pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities this year, as reported in these headlines. These tragedies emphasize the need for safety to remain our top priority when we’re behind the wheel, and also when we’re designing new roads and redesigning existing ones. Policy changes can also have a positive impact to make our streets safer, in response the Salt Lake City Council has recently reduced certain speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph.

Finding routes that feel safe can sometimes be a challenge when traveling by bike. Physical infrastructure changes can improve safety and can make a community safe for a broad range of cyclists and pedestrians. WFRC’s May Map of the Month (read on to the next article) displays which routes are safe and comfortable for nearly all riders, and those which require more confidence and expertise to navigate. We have a substantial amount of work to accomplish as a Region to ensure that everyone is connected to routes where they feel comfortable riding.

How can we design streets to be safer, and more comfortable, for all users?

How Safe Do We Feel While Cycling?

A Map in Our Series Celebrating National Bike Month

May is a great time of year to think about biking more or giving it a try if it’s been a while.

Our map of the month on bike safety provides a resource communities can explore to develop goals for improving bike (and pedestrian) access and safety, especially around city and neighborhood centers that contain key destinations, like groceries, entertainment, and other services.

The bike safety map is presented from the perspective of an interested, but concerned cyclist, estimating the level of traffic stress (LTS) perceived by most adult, non-enthusiasts riders. 

May Legislative Interim Meetings

The Utah Legislature met for the first time last week since the 2022 General Session for interim committee meetings. They will continue to meet monthly from May until November to receive reports, study issues, and craft legislation for the 2023 General Session.

Worth noting was the Transportation Interim Committee’s study of roadway safety items. Our partners at UDOT, along with the Department of Public Safety shared important information about what compromises safety on our roadways, and how we might improve it moving forward. WFRC’s Hugh Van Wagenen and Ted Knowlton also presented, highlighting the importance of creating safe active transportation infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.

Unified Economic Opportunity Commission (UEOC)

The UEOC met yesterday to finalize their working groups and study topics for the remainder of the year. Notably, under the UEOC, there will be a Growth & Transportation Working Group which will be evaluating current transportation funding, and seek to recommend any changes to future funding. WFRC will be heavily involved in this working group which will meet for the first time early next week. Additionally, the Subcommittee on Housing Affordability met and determined they would establish subgroups on rural housing, attainable housing, and low income housing.

Current Federal Grant Opportunities

• Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A): This program is expected to include $1 billion in funding per year exclusively for local governments to make improvements to reduce fatalities, especially for cyclists and pedestrians, commonly referred to as ‘‘Vision Zero’’ or ‘‘Toward Zero Deaths’’ initiatives. Eligibility includes the creation of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, as well as planning, design, and construction of projects identified in a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. The SS4A NOFO has been released and applications will be due no later than September 15th, 2022. USDOT will host a series of webinars on how to apply for this opportunity in the month of June. WFRC, along with partners, are intending to jointly apply for a SS4A Grant to create a regional Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, which will ultimately include local projects which can apply for capital grants in the four subsequent years.

• Transit-Oriented Development Pilot Program: This program provides planning funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning with a new fixed guideway or core capacity transit capital investment. Intended outcomes are to improve economic development and ridership, foster multimodal connectivity, improve transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and others. View the notice of funding opportunity and webinar dates/information.

Upcoming Federal Grant Opportunities 

• Bridge Investment Program (NOFO to be released in May)
• Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (NOFO to be released in June)
• Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (NOFO to be released in June)

Resources

If you would like to stay up to date with the latest information on federal grants and want to receive our “Federal Funding Opportunities Notice” emails, or if you have any questions regarding federal funding, please reach out to federalgrants@wfrc.org or visit our Federal Funding Opportunities Webpage.

The Wasatch Front Regional Council, along with its Wasatch Choice Vision partners, invite members of the public to apply to join the new Community Advisory Committee. Share your voice to shape your community! The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to enhance the engagement of all communities in our region in the Wasatch Choice Vision while advising partner agencies on transportation and land use decisions. This Advisory Committee will serve as a forum for enhancing awareness and understanding of the needs and priorities of all of our communities in the region.

The commitment requires attending four meetings over the course of the next year, and you will be compensated $50 per meeting. 

Click here to apply, and please help us spread the word by sharing this flyer. Applications are due on or by June 30, 2022.

Learn more about why equity is important to WFRC’s work, here. 

Click here to view a high-resolution version of this flyer

Utah Transit Authority and Hill Air Force Base are partnering together for the Hill Air Force Base Air and Space Show on June 25-26. We estimate over 500,000 attendees on Saturday and Sunday, so if you don’t want to deal with parking and long waiting lines, hop on our free shuttle bus at Clearfield Station to get to and from the Air Show. Ride the train or catch a bus to Clearfield Station using our special Air Show Day Pass for $5.* This pass is good on Bus, FrontRunner, TRAX and Streetcar. OR, park at Clearfield Station free and ride the shuttle from there. Click here for more event information, and on the flyer below for details on how best to get there by UTA!

Click here to view a high-resolution version of this service update

Kevrine Wells, Accounting Specialist

WFRC is excited to welcome Kevrine Wells to the team. Kevrine will serve as Accounting Specialist, assisting in preparing WFRC’s financial records, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll and accounting records maintenance activities. Kevrine joins us with more than 25 years of experience, having most recently served as the Director of Finance/HR for Utah Military Academy. In that position, she was responsible for a $12 million budget and the personnel management of 100+ employees. She has served the public in a variety of capacities, most recently as founding member of the National Charity League, Summit County Chapter, and she's currently the Treasurer for Park City Passing League. 

Kevrine loves her home state of Utah. When she's not out enjoying nature and cultural activities, you can find her playing games with her family - her favorite pastime! 

Today, Thurs. May 26, the Wasatch Front Regional Council met back in person for the first time in more than two years. View the agenda and meeting materials to see what was discussed.