S.R. 224 Bus Rapid Transit Environmental Document

Summit County and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), are preparing an environmental document for high-frequency bus rapid transit (BRT) service along State Route (S.R.) 224 in Summit County, Utah. Summit County, UDOT, and other public and private partners (the partners) are working together to implement the proposed BRT. Since federal funds could potentially be awarded to the partners to construct the proposed project, the environmental, social and economic impacts of the project are being evaluated in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The project will add a dedicated lane in each direction of S.R. 224 exclusively for use by transit vehicles. The project will specifically enable the Electric Xpress/‌10 White route to operate as a true BRT system, providing frequent, fast, and reliable transit service and helping the S.R. 224 roadway to function better for all users. The study will focus on S.R. 224 between Kimball Junction and Park City and will refine the alignment of the selected Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) from the 2018 Valley to Mountain Transit Alternatives Analysis Study.

Alternatives Analysis

In 2018, the partners completed an Alternatives Analysis (AA) for this project. The AA study scope was broad and considered many possible mode and alignment alternatives. A long list of potential alternatives was developed, evaluated and screened.
 
The AA was a 20-month collaborative effort among Summit County and the other partners. Key staff from each partner entity participated in the partner steering committee that met throughout the AA process to guide the project. The process also involved a comprehensive stakeholder outreach program, including coordination with other local policy groups and public outreach to the community at large.
 
The study team developed multiple alternatives and performed two levels of screening and evaluation to determine the suitability of the wide variety of alternatives based on the project objectives and purpose and need. Two technology options passed Level 1 screening including hybrid/electric bus rapid transit (BRT), and rapid streetcar/light rail transit (LRT).
 
Once the transit technology options were screened and the two most promising options selected, the study team conducted a second evaluation to determine the footprint within the S.R. 224 corridor for the transit solution’s alignment:
 
  • down the center of S.R. 224
  • running on one side of S.R. 244
  • or running on both sides of S.R. 224
 
The study team analyzed the benefits, costs, and impacts of BRT and rapid streetcar/‌LRT in the S.R. 224 corridor for the three alignment configurations.

Locally Preferred Alternative

The Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) identified during the AA largely follows the alignment of the existing bus route Electric Xpress/10 White. The LPA would place dedicated transit lanes on both sides of S.R. 224. Southbound transit would run west of S.R. 224 and northbound transit would run east of S.R. 224. The LPA described in the AA report, would serve the Kimball Junction Transit Center with an eventual connection to a new transit center on Bonanza Drive just south of Kearns Boulevard (S.R. 248). 
 

Since the AA process, Summit County and Park City have reconsidered the Bonanza Drive terminus and would prefer to move the southern terminus to the Old Town Transit Center, to mirror the full, current extent of the Electric Xpress/10 White service and support a year round destination to Park City’s Old Town. It’s anticipated that the transit lanes would run from the Kimball Junction to the A-Fresh Market on Park Avenue, though Summit County and Park City would like to consider extending the transit lanes on Deer Valley Drive enroute to the Old Town Transit Center. Refinement of the LPA design and operational details at each terminus will be determined during the environmental review process. The LPA was adopted by the Park City Council and the Summit County Council on June 26 and June 27, 2018, respectively and is recognized as part of their master transportation plans. It’s anticipated that the Park City and Summit County councils will formally adopt the refined LPA early in the environmental review process. No new alternatives will be studied as part of the S.R. 224 BRT project. Park City Transit’s existing fleet of electric buses would continue to be used for the project.

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Study Goals & Purpose

The S.R. 224 BRT Project is specifically intended to enable the existing route 10 White bus service, one of Park City’s busiest routes in its service area, to operate as a true BRT system by providing frequent, fast, and reliable transit service. Given existing congestion conditions, vehicle backing, delay, and poor travel time on S.R. 224—coupled with constrained parking in Park City’s Old Town and at other key destinations along S.R. 224—there is a need to provide a reliable high-quality transit option in the corridor.
The specific purpose elements of the project are to:
 
  • Improve the reliability and reduce the travel time of the 10 White bus and other transit service on S.R. 224.
  • Increase the safety and effectiveness of transit by separating transit vehicles from other traffic all day over a substantial length of S.R. 224 by legitimizing the shoulder-running service with a true BRT lane.
  • Complement local and regional remote parking strategies to reduce the number of vehicles coming into Park City’s Old Town and to employers and resorts accessed via S.R. 224.
  • Support healthy communities, best environmental practices, and the sustainability goals of the community.
  • Ensure equitable access to jobs and other resources located along S.R. 224.

Study Timeline & Process

In the environmental document, the partners and FTA will evaluate the significant environmental, social, and economic impacts of the No-Build Alternative and the LPA. The expected impacts of the project will be disclosed for the long-term operation of each alternative and for the short-term construction period. Measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate all adverse impacts will be identified, evaluated, and adopted as appropriate.

Winter 2021
Technical Data Collection
Winter 2021
Spring 2021
Develop Project Design Criteria
Spring 2021
Summer 2021
Conduct Alternatives Analysis screening for southern portion of alignment; refine Locally Preferred Alternative; conduct environmental surveys
Summer 2021
Fall 2021
Send agency scoping letters; send public and stakeholder’s project update and solicit comments
Fall 2021
Winter 2022
Develop design options for key intersections along the corridor and continue to refine the Locally Preferred Alternative; complete traffic and ridership studies
Winter 2022
Spring 2022
Determine impacts from the Locally Preferred Alternative
Spring 2022
Summer 2022
Prepare and Submit Environmental Document; public meeting and comment period
Summer 2022
Fall 2022
Final Environmental Document
Fall 2022

Project History

S.R. 224 Project History Summary
Valley to Mountain Alternatives Analysis - 2018
Park City Transportation Planning