Planning for the year 2040 may seem ambitious, but officials in Salt Lake City looked into the crystal ball and did not like what they saw regarding transportation.
According to their projections, 300 square miles of development would be needed to meet commercial and residential demand, commuter miles traveled daily would double—to more than 90 million miles per day—and congestion would reign.
As a result, the regional council, called the “Wasatch Front,” created a “Wasatch Choice for 2040,” a long-term regional transportation plan led by 18 local mayors and elected county officials. The vision, which earned a $5 million Sustainable Communities Planning Grant, is focused on improving public infrastructure, providing “regional mobility” through choice, providing housing and related land-use decisions, and promoting the environment.
According to reports, the massive plan means that Salt Lake City is now investing more money, per capita, in new public transit than any other metro area in the country.
Components of the plan emphasize:
- Walkable Communities: New homes are about twice as likely as today’s homes to have convenient access to places to work, shop, play and learn.
- Vertical Growth: Vertical growth fills-in existing communities and revitalizes business districts; better for biking, shorter commutes, and overall air quality
- Commuter Options: Build it and they will come, options are key for commuters.
- Open Land: Less building means more open land, lending to a higher quality of life.
With a focus on town centers, the plan emphasizes the creation and maintenance of walkable communities. For example, one new development based near an existing rail-line prioritized sidewalks, organized streets in a connected grid, and avoided cul-de-sacs. As a result, 88 percent of the neighborhood’s children walk or bike to school, compared to 17 percent in other neighborhoods. The development has apparently become one of the best sellers in the state.
Learn More
Extensive information on Wasatch Choice for 2040 is available: