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Show ae all aE ihe > $10, 000, 000, if that is ant ey think it igs to correct alee aes issues. If there is anything left (money-wise) UDOT plans to add several miles of much needed passing lanes at crucial locations along US 191 between Moab and Monticello. But can that kind of expense truly be justified? And is it proper and reasonable to. spend all of the allocated funds on Devils Canyon if it means sacrificing the other improvements? UDOT is attempting to narrow its options at Devils Canyon. The alternatives include a massive expansion of the current alignment which would add passing lanes and breakdown lanes, and reduce the gradient from its current 9% to 4%. Today, as the highway descends into Devils Canyon, the road cut is about 50 feet wide. Based on exhibits presented by URS engineering at an open house in Blanding last October, the road cut after reconstruction could be as wide as 350 feet. And if the gradient is reduced by as. much as URS (the engineering and environmental design company working for UDOT) proposes, the cut and fill operation will be a stunning example of road safety overkill at its very worst. US 191 at Devils Canyon is one of the most scenic parts of a beautiful drive from Moab to the Arizona border. Ponderosa pines, Gamble oaks and maples fill the canyon. If the project proceeds at the level of construction now proposed, the devastation along the roadway will be total. The question of prime importance here is: What is truly required to resolve UDOT’s safety and traffic flow concerns? Asa regular user of this section of the highway, it’s clear that the major area of concern should be the south approach to the canyon. There are a couple of curves and dips that need realignment and flattening. In the summer of 2000, a trucker lost her life when she lost control of her rig on one of those curves, hit the retaining wall and crashed. This section deserves UDOT’s primary attention. The long 9% grade on the north side of Devils Canyon is a nuisance more than a risk. What this section needs is a passing lane. If such a lane is added, the extremely costly issue of reducing the gradient becomes largely irrelevant. Building a passing lane AND drastically reducing the gradient is a redundancy we cannot afford. Ultimately, opting for the 6% gradient option and a passing lane would spare the canyon from a massive and ugly road fill, maintain some of its beauty, while still fulfilling the main goal of the project--to increase safety and improve traffic flow. What I have not mentioned so far are two other alternatives proposed by URS that calls for abandoning the current road and building three miles of highway along a NEW | alignment. THIS PLAN IS COST PROHIBITIVE, ENVIRONMENTALLY DISASTROUS AND IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. | and If URS and UDOT can reconstruct the Devils Canyon section of US 191 with restraint with judicious planning and budgeting, they would still be able to make those GREAT FAMILY HOME with 5 bedrooms, 2 family rooms, food storage. Close to church and Rotary Park. New huge deluxe kitchen and family room. 2700 sq. ft. home in a quiet eastside location. $139,500 #4270 YOU’VE BEEN ASKING FOR 10 acres or more and - we.have it. Spectacular views just 13 miles south of Moab with great access and visibility. Parcels from 10.28 acres to 18.29 acres. These premium properties offer choice level building sites with room for your’ horses. Great potential for commercial development also. Possible owner financing. Prices. starting at $59,000 #new TOWNHOMES AT THE GOLF COURSE-2 & 3 bed /2 bath villas, furnished in elegant style, with custom extras. Great views from patios, fireplace, tile floors, pool, upstairs decks. Extra income available from nightly vacation rental pool. From $165,500 to $212,000 #4441, #4634, #4668 NORMA NUNN | (w) 435.259.5021 (h) 435.259.7275 SS i o,, e At REDROCK REAL ESTATE 505 N. Main St. Moab, UT 84532 ly ‘| Each office is independently owned and operated improvements between Moab and Monticello. This would include passing lanes for | southbound traffic near Blue Hills and Nipple Hills. My own experience is that heavy truck and tourist traffic between Moab and La Sal Jct. is turning this stretch of highway into a "White Knuckle Experience," and it’s getting worse each year. |. ‘The project is still in the planning process and there is an opportunity to have some | input that actually means something. Construction is not scheduled to begin until spring 2003. If you would like to get involved in this project, here are some contact addresses: . AFFORDABLE HORSE PROPERTY with near new home. Great views of . mountains & Red Rock Rims. Spacious master suite with garden tub, large » formal dining room, deluxe country kitchen with vaulted ceilings eee Priced right! $134,000 #4710 MOVE IN. AND ENJOY!!! Energy efficient brick home in Mint poneuion 3 bedroom, family room 2 bath and all appliances stay. Great yard with lovely landscaping. Close to school, park and churches. retired owner says’ — sell at $124,000 #4439 HIGH VISIBILITY 2.57 commercial hwy acreage. Great views situated between KOA campgrounds and Fairgrounds. Motivated seller! Priced at $59,000 #4049 The June/July issue of The Zephyr will be newsstands in Moab on May 25, and the following week in other locations UDOT Region #4, Mike Miles, project manager 1345 S. 350 West Richfield, UT 84701 435.893.4799 LSCo COMPUTER 4 ‘URS Engineering & Environmental Consultants Doug Atkin, project manager 756 E. Winchester St. Salt Lake City, UT 84107 801.904.4000 S§8ERVICE You can also email Governor Leavitt at: governor@state.ut.us The 2002 State Legislator Roster is: www.le.state.ut.us/as} And...if you contact any of these people, how about sending areey ‘to The Zephyr? NOTE: At press time The Zephyr received some updated information onn the Devils Canyon project. According to UDOT Region 4 director, Dal Hawks, the preferred route will follow the current road alignment. Hopefully, the agency will also opt for a less drastic road gradient reduction...JS “Twenty Years of PC Experience” REPAIRS UPGRADES MAINTENANCE SOFTWARE LYNN SHAFER 259.4171 lynn@lsco.net Subscribe to the Zephyr Details on Page 3 7 TeEx’s RIVERWAYS VWVVVVVVVVVVVY 3-D RIVER VISIONS, INC. P.O. Box 67 Moab, UT 84532 435.259.5101 info@texsriverways.com 691 W. 500 West www.texsriverways.com CANOE OUTFITTING & RENTALS SHUTTLE SERVICE JETBOAT TOURS {/A) IT'S ONLY MARCH AND DIRK & DEVIN ALREADY LOOK LIKE THIS--BUT DARREN IS FRESH AS A DAISY! HOW DOES HE DO IT? ® |