A recent accident involving a 15-year-old student has intensified calls from Lehi residents for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over SR-92, also known as Timpanogos Highway, at the Center Street intersection. While the Utah Department of Transportation has ranked the project among its top three priorities, local advocates are urging officials to move faster to prevent further injuries in the high-traffic area frequented by students.
Accident Sparks Safety Concerns
The push for increased safety follows an incident involving a Skyridge High School student who was struck by a vehicle while using an e-bike to cross the intersection of SR-92 and Center Street. Tiffany Barker, a Lehi resident living near the intersection, witnessed the accident and described the scene as harrowing. Barker stated that the student was using the crosswalk and following all rules when a truck turning right failed to see him, striking the teenager.
Community Calls for Urgent Action
Barker, who was one of three people at the scene during the accident, noted that the student was in significant pain and required assistance until paramedics arrived. The incident has heightened fears among neighbors who argue that the intersection poses a recurring danger to pedestrians. Barker emphasized that the community cannot afford to wait for another child to be injured before the project becomes a primary focus for local and state officials.
High Traffic Student Area
The intersection serves as a critical transit point for students attending Skyridge High School and Viewpoint Middle School. According to Lehi Free Press reporting, ninth graders attending special classes at the high school must cross this intersection during the school day. Barker noted that the area experiences heavy foot traffic due to local businesses and existing walking paths on both sides of the highway, creating a high-risk environment for pedestrians.
City Council Warns of Blind Spots
Local officials have expressed long-standing concerns regarding the safety of the intersection. Lehi City Council member Rachel Freeman stated she has been worried about the location for a long time, noting that she traverses the intersection multiple times a day and has observed dangerous blind spots. Freeman indicated that the city has been working on a design and attempting to secure funding for a bridge for some time because engineers anticipated the high volume of activity at that location.
Funding and Partnership Potential
The proposed pedestrian bridge is estimated to cost between $8 million and $9 million. While Lehi City has already secured approximately half of the necessary funding, the project remains dependent on additional support from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). Council member Michelle Stallings suggested that the project could potentially be a partnership involving federal grants, similar to a previous pedestrian bridge located further west that was funded through a collaboration between Lehi, UDOT, and the Utah Transit Authority (UTA).
UDOT Response and Prioritization
UDOT officials confirmed they are aware of the safety concerns and the funding progress made by Lehi. John Gleason, UDOT’s director of public relations, stated that the agency is working on solutions to ensure safety, particularly as school boundaries in the area have recently changed. Boyde Humpherys, UDOT’s region three deputy director, noted that the agency is working through the prioritization process as quickly as possible and acknowledged the funding already secured by the city.
Petition Demands Priority Status
A local petition launched by Tiffany Barker has gathered hundreds of signatures to urge UDOT to elevate the bridge project to its number one priority. The petition highlights that visibility at the intersection is often compromised by the angle of the sun during sunrise and sunset, making it difficult for drivers to spot pedestrians. Advocates argue that the combination of high-speed vehicles, increasing residential and retail growth, and the proximity of three schools makes the construction of a secure crossing essential for community safety.
