"A controversial provision in a sprawling Utah transportation bill could force its state capital to rip out key traffic calming infrastructure at the taxpayer's expense - and possibly set a new standard for state interference in cities' Vision Zero efforts. In a disturbing echo of the infamous Ontario law that forced Toronto to destroy popular bike lanes, the final lines of Utah's State Bill 242 would require Salt Lake City to "mitigate the impacts" of traffic calming efforts on three specific corridors"
"Sponsoring Republican State Sen. Wayne Harper told City Weekly that "nothing in here says they have to take [bike lanes] out," but also said locals would have to prove that bike lanes aren't "causing an impediment." That would add costly administrative review to projects with already proven benefits. The same section of the bill takes aim at Salt Lake City's traffic safety future, too, essentially barring local officials from implementing "highway reduction" strategies on many of its arterials,"
State Bill 242 would require Salt Lake City to mitigate impacts of traffic calming projects on three named corridors, potentially forcing removal or alteration of bike lanes and other safety measures at taxpayer expense. One targeted project remains incomplete while studies show minimal impacts on vehicle mobility for the others. The bill would add administrative review burdens by requiring local officials to prove that bike lanes do not cause impediments, and it would bar or subject many arterials to state vetoes of "highway reduction" strategies. The measure provoked strong opposition at a packed Senate Transportation Committee hearing, with advocates asserting that local decisions on street design are best made locally.
Read at Streetsblog
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