Logan Canyon ACT LOCALLY TO SAVE LOGAN CANYON
Logan Canyon Coalition is an organization dedicated to promoting reasonable road improvement while protecting the canyon's scenic and environmental resources.
LET'S COMPARE
The Conservationists' Alternative
favored by:
Logan Canyon Coalition
Utah Rivers Conservation Council
The "Modified" Preferred Alternative
favored by:
Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)
Cache Chamber of Commerce
MIDDLE CANYON
(Right Hand Fork to Cattle Guard above Ricks Springs)
"Modified" Preferred Alternative:
• Burnt Bridge, Lower Twin and Upper Twin Bridges will be replaced.
• Present width of 26 ft. will be maintained for the first four miles. Above Lower Twin Bridge, the highway will be widened to 34 ft.
• To accommodate the wider highway along the Dugway, a 4 to 8 ft. cut will be made into the steep mountain slope for about 3/4 of a mile. A
retaining wall is planned for the mountainside.
• A turning lane will be constructed at Temple Fork intersection, requiring substantial construction into the hillside.
• Straightening the highway will require eight curve cuts in the Middle Canyon.
Conservationists' Alternative:
• The three bridges will be replaced.
• Maintain present 26 ft. width throughout the Middle Canyon.
• No construction into mountains or hillsides is proposed. No retaining walls are necessary.
• The dangerous curve at Lower Twin Bridge at the Dugway will be straightened and visibility improved. No other curve cuts are needed.
• Highway signs will be added to alert drivers to features of the highway.
UPPER CANYON
(Cattle Guard to Summit)
"Modified" Preferred Alternative:
• Red Banks bridge and various culverts will be replaced.
• Highway width will be 34 ft. to the Beaver Mountain intersection, then 40 ft. continuing on to the summit.
• Over six miles of passing lanes will be constructed. One passing lane will be placed in wetlands below the Tony Grove intersection. With passing lanes, the highway below Beaver Mountain will be 44 ft. wide. Above Beaver Mountain, the width will be 47ft.
• Vaguely defined "clear zones" will stretch an additional 18 to 22 ft. on either side of the highway. Above Beaver Mountain, the affected area will be 80 ft. wide.
• Over 1700 ft. of retaining walls will be constructed along Beaver Creek.
• Left and right turning lanes will be constructed at the Tony Grove, Beaver Mountain, Franklin Basin intersections, the Red Banks Campground, UDOT maintenance sheds turnoff, and the Forest Service access road at the summit.
• Straightening the highway will create three additional curve cuts.
(Continued)
Upper Canyon (Continued)
Conservationists' Alternative:
• The Red Banks bridge and the culverts will be replaced.
• Present highway width of 26 ft. will be maintained.
• 1.6 miles of passing lanes will be placed to avoid damage to wetlands.
• Left and right turning lanes will be constructed at the Tony Grove and Beaver Mountain intersections.
• No curve cuts or retaining walls are proposed.
• Highway signs will be added.
More Comparison
Estimated Cost
Preferred Alternative: Over $34 Million
Conservationists' Alternative: $16 Million
Travel Time
The difference in average travel time through Logan Canyon between these two alternatives is less than 10 minutes! (UDOT's estimate)
Safety
• UDOT has not demonstrated that the Preferred Alternative will enhance highway safety.
• UDOT engineers have called their safety data "garbage"and "problematic."
• The Preferred Alternative will in fact result in a more dangerous highway. A faster, straighter highway will increase the number of severe accidents, including fatalities. Logan Canyon is currently recognized and listed as a National Scenic Byway.
Environmental and Economic Impacts
"Modified" Preferred Alternative:
• Over 9 acres of wetlands will be eliminated.
• Up to 10% of riverbank vegetation will be removed (UDOT's estimate).
• Up to 2000 ft. of rip rap (rock and concrete debris) will be placed along riverbanks at bridges and culverts.
• Over 1700 ft. of retaining walls will be constructed, including one for the mountain at the Dugway.
• Estimated reduction in scenic values of up to 71% (UDOT's estimate).
• Approximately one-half of the mature Douglas Fir and Limber Pine forest at the summit will be removed.
• Unknown impact on trout populations. UDOT's estimate is an uneducated guess based on inadequate data. Construction in the Lower Canyon reduced the trout populations in some areas by 80%.
• Unknown impact on wildlife. UDOT has not estimated the increase in vehicle-animal collisions that will result from a faster, straighter highway.
• Unknown impact on water quality in Logan River. UDOT has not provided an adequate analysis of increased sedimentation and turbidity.
• Unknown impact on local economies. The negative economic impacts of this 15 to 20 year construction project have not been estimated.
Conservationists' Alternative:
• Minimal environmental impacts. Scenic quality is maintained.
• Fish and wildlife are protected.
• Safety issues are addressed with viable construction alternatives.
• Less construction means minimal negative impacts to local economies.
Which alternative do you prefer?
Logan Canyon Coalition believes that UDOT's construction proposal is a pork barrel project, without demonstrated purpose and need, that
will in fact make the highway less safe. It will have extensive and unnecessary environmental and economic impacts. Logan Canyon Coalition is preparing to take legal action.
You Can Help!
Consider joining the Logan Canyon Coalition, a grassroots organization devoted to protecting Logan Canyon. Please donate to our canyon defense fund. All donations will be used in our legal fight to save Logan Canyon.
Time is running out for LOGAN CANYON!
Contact us at:
LOGAN CANYON COALITION Working for the Protection of Logan Canyon
USU Box #1674
Logan, Utah
84322-0199
(801) 753-0497
Printed on recycled paper
Highway 89
