NewsDRIVEN TO CHANGE

Actions

South Jordan residents call for pedestrian bridge over busy highway

Posted
and last updated

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Neighbors in South Jordan gathered at Highland Park in the Daybreak community on Saturday afternoon to support the call for a pedestrian bridge over Mountain View Corridor.

“The need to have safer options to get across Mountain View Corridor," said Ride For Safety organizer Bennion Gardner. "Mountain View is a very dangerous and deadly road. We need a bridge; we need a safe way to connect both sides of the community."

Image (9).jpg

The group is asking the city, UDOT, and the Larry H. Miller companies to build a pedestrian bridge over the busy highway.

“Making it easier for people to go by foot or by bike,” South Jordan resident Sam Bishop said.

They're sounding the alarm for a safer commute.

“I was actually hit by a car last year while I was out for a jog along Mountain View Corridor. There was a car coming at a red light and I was crossing in the crosswalk and the car slowed down and then it sped up and clipped me," said Gardner.

Gardner said that was a wake-up call, and now he and others are calling for change.

"We’ve had over 500 people sign the petition, and a lot of the comments on there are from people who live on either side of the highway, and they talk about how scary it is to try and get across," he said.

Bishop said a more secure path is ideal, especially for children who are crossing in the area.

"We have some amazing bike amenities on this side of Mountain View Corridor. We’ve got a lot of kids, including my son on the other side. I see all the time kids crossing Mountain View," said Bishop.

UDOT has construction plans set for 2027 over the corridor. Part of the project includes a better route for those on foot or cyclists.

The Communications Manager for the City of South Jordan contacted FOX 13 News to respond to the calls for a pedestrian bridge along the corridor stating, “The City of South Jordan is committed to the safety of its residents and is constantly monitoring hazards and areas of concern. Currently, on Lake Avenue at Mountain View Corridor, there is a safe crossing with pedestrian and cyclist signals. UDOT’s Mountainview Corridor project has been a long time in the making. The City has been working with UDOT for many years to establish additional safe crossings for pedestrians and cyclists and when the project is complete there will be multiple safe route options available. Large projects like these take time and we ask for our residents’ patience as the project moves forward.”

The city states that they are currently working with UDOT to implement grade-separated trail crossings, where the crossings are completely separated from motor vehicle traffic, on Mountain View Corridor at Midas Creek and Bingham Creek.

They add that over the past 14 years, 88 percent of pedestrian and cyclist accidents on Mountain View in South Jordan have been due to conflicts between right turning vehicles and the pedestrians and cyclists in the cross walk. Below is the information provided to FOX 13 News.

Intersection on MVCPed/Bike InvolvedRight TurnLeft Turn
11800 S321
Hammerfest11
Daybreak Parkway22
South Jordan Parkway22
Total871

“I feel like we need a really safe and convenient way for them to get across, otherwise they’re going to get across in a dangerous way and the outcomes is going to be terrible,” said Bishop.

They believe a more reliable commute for those walking, running or biking is imperative, especially as the Daybreak area continues to grow.

"Hopefully get the city to put this bridge and better infrastructure into their plans and plan for the future so we can keep the community connected,” said Gardner.