Transportation Plans

U of U TRANSPORTATION SAFETY STUDY 

U of U TRANSPORTATION SAFETY STUDY 

The Department of City and Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah is conducting a study on transportation safety, focusing on traffic anomalies and crash data in Salt Lake County.  The study is looking for pedestrians, Salt Lake County visitors, and residents to take part.

Transportation Plans Information from SLC Study, 2024:

Salt Lake City Transportation announces the final draft of the Citywide Transportation Plan, which seeks to create a governing set of policies to shape roadway projects in Salt Lake City for the next two decades. This plan update is required to go before the Planning Commission for a recommendation then to the City Council for a final decision. Both bodies will hold public hearings, and will use these criteria for making their recommendation:

1. Whether the plan update is consistent with the purposes, goals, objectives, and policies of the City as stated through its various adopted planning documents; and
2. The extent to which the proposed plan implements best current, professional practices of urban planning and design. A 45-day comment period has been opened and residents may comment via email to joe.taylor@slcgov.com or by mail to Joe Taylor, Salt Lake City Transportation Division, 349 South 200 East Suite 150, SLC UT 84111.

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U of U Students Create MASTER PLAN STUDY

Masters students in Planning at the U of U have created a study to advise SLC Planning as it considers an update to the Avenues and Capitol Hill Master Plans.  See the Student Study HERE

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

The Greater Avenues Community Council is an all-volunteer community group, and there are countless ways for you to get involved! The work to make our community better is done by our volunteer Board of Directors, and by the volunteers on our various committees. 

Committees

The GACC Chair, with the approval of the Board, may establish or dissolve committees of two types:

1. Standing Committees – These address general or long-term issues and exist until specifically dissolved.

2. Ad-hoc Committees – Formed to address fixed or short-term issues and are automatically dissolved on their one- year anniversary unless specifically renewed by the Chair or Board.

Interested persons may apply using this form to volunteer to serve on an Avenues committee:

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I am interested in helping: *

• Becoming a Board Member
• Helping with Avenues Street Fair
• Helping with Memory Grove Cleanup
• Serving on a Committee
• Sponsoring GACC

Committees in which you are interested:

• Avenues Athletic League
• Avenues Grants
• Bylaws and SOP's
• Civic Engagement
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Finance
• Land Use/Housing
• Memory Grove Clean-Up
• Memory Grove Foundation
• Nominating Committee
• Orange Crossing Flags
• Popperton Plots Community Garde
• Salt Lake Avenues Community Choi
• Communications Committee*
• Street Fair
• Wildfire Preparednes

*Steering Committee Oversees Newsletter Committee, Web Page Committee, Social Media Committee

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OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

A letter asking Utah Public Utilities Commissioners

Rocky Mountain Power Rate Increase –

A letter asking Utah Public Utilities Commissioners to reconsider the recent Rocky Mountain Power rate increase is available HERE.  

Avenues residents are encouraged to read the letter and send it, if you agree:

Attention:
Commission Chair Jerry Fenn,
Commissioner David Clark,
Commissioner John S. Harvey, Ph.D.,

via email psc@utah.gov,

by snail mail to the Public Service Commission, 160 East 300 South, 4th Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, or by fax 801-530-6796.  

See more info about the rate increase HERE  

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Mondays & Wednesdays 8:30-9:40 a.m.  All ages are welcome!

Class location varies. Contact Jan Root for current location.

Free Exercise Class Open To All:

Mondays & Wednesdays 8:30-9:40 a.m.
Class location varies. Contact Jan Root for current location.
801-455-2082, janroot@xmission.com

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) is in the process of wildfire mitigation activities in the Foothills Natural area above the Upper Avenues. These activities include updating the power transmission equipment and poles to minimize the risk of wildfire.

Flammable wooden power line poles which can more easily topple during windstorms are being replaced with fire resistant poles.

This work will continue through early 2025. The project will impact trails and other areas of the Foothills.

More information about the project, maps of the activities, and Frequently Asked Questions can be found here PROJECT WEB PAGE and FAQs.

The project is in conjunction with U.S. Fire Administration, with the objective of mitigating wildfire risk along the wildland-urban interface areas in the foothills of Salt Lake City. See more about wildfire mitigation HERE

Salt Lake City Public Utilities and Public Lands are monitoring the project.

The project managers for the RMP wildfire mitigation project are: Brant Swander: brant.swander@pacificorp.com, and Brad Knoles: brad.knoles@pacificorp.com.

The Salt Lake City Public Lands Department is also providing regular updates HERE, including information about current trail closures. Trail users are encouraged to visit the Public Lands website for updated trail closure information.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

TRAFFIC & CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE AVENUES

This information is provided as a courtesy. Please check the links provided for the most up-to-date information

Take the Salt Lake City Livable Streets Survey HERE   

See more about Salt Lake City Transportation Division’s traffic calming efforts HERE 

Construction at State Street & 300 North

To alleviate traffic congestion at this busy intersection, a roundabout is being constructed at State Street and 300 North. Expect traffic reroutes Sept-Dec. See https://udotinput.utah.gov/statestreet300north for more information. 

Virginia Street Reconstruction

We are pleased to announce the project is nearing completion! Please be safe and watch out for temporary traffic realignments on Virginia Street north of South Temple Street up to 11th Avenue.

UTA PUBLIC Survey 

UTA is holding a public comment period regarding proposed service and fares changes for both April 2025 and April 2026.

UTA is seeking public input on proposed changes, including feedback and information about how UTA can support riders in any future transitions by better understanding the impact of these changes on community members.

The comment period is open through December 13. More information is available on UTA’s website at rideuta.com/ChangeDay. 

A virtual public meeting is scheduled for the evening of November 20 at 5:30pm on Zoom – registration is available here. 

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

New to the Avenues? 

The Greater Avenues Community Council welcomes new residents to our Avenues neighborhoods. We are proud of our community and hope you will be happy to call it home. It is an outstanding place to work, recreate and establish a home. 

We invite you and your family to participate in the services and programs offered by the Council, and we hope you’ll explore this website.   See our list of Community Resources

You will receive our monthly newsletter – The Agenda – via mail. 

We hold monthly community meetings, generally the first Wednesday of each month, at the Jack & Corinne Sweet branch library at 455 North F Street, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  

Save the date for our annual Avenues Street Fair, this year on September 14th. 

Consider being a volunteer with any of our committees or service projects. 

Contact us with any questions and we will get back to you right away!

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Wildfire Preparedness in the Avenues – We Are All At Risk!

UTAH HOUSE BILL 48 – WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE MODIFICATIONS

         To address wildfire risk where residential areas meet open space areas – the Wildland Urban Interface Zone – the State has mandated that all cities adopt these regulations regulating building materials, construction requirements, building separation and landscaping to create more wildfire resistant properties in certain areas.

See House Bill 48 HERE

See the Storyboard on the Wildland Urban Interface Zoning Ordinance Changes HERE

SLC WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE ORDINANCE

         As a result of House Bill 48 shown above, the Salt Lake City Council has adopted an ordinance that would adopt the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Code required by the State, along with a map that shows where the WUI Fire Code would apply. The ordinance also amends Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code to give precedence to the adopted WUI Code where it conflicts with regulations, with the exception of the Riparian Corridor Overlay. 

Certain Greater Avenues properties will be affected by the adoption of the State Wildland Urban Interface Code.

See more at Salt Lake Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code

See Deseret News Wildland Code article by Carter Williams HERE

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY

         See the GACC’s Wildfire Committee’s flyer on Personal and Property preparedness HERE

KNOW YOUR FIRE ZONE

Over 1,500 residences within the Avenues are especially vulnerable to wildfire due to their proximity to the fire-prone “Wildland Urban Interface” (WUI).

Many more properties throughout the Avenues are susceptible – due to their density and unpredictable fire weather.

It is important for residents to understand how fire can damage our homes and property, and how we can lessen the possibility of damage.

If each of us does our part to reduce risk, we can collectively create a safer, more resilient neighborhood!

Check Your Fire Risk on the map HERE

REQUEST AN ASSSESSMENT OF YOUR HOME’s FIRE RISK

The Salt Lake City Fire Department will conduct a free assessment of your home’s Fire Risk. Schedule an appointment HERE

WILDFIRE RISK AND HOMEOWNERS’ INSURANCE

An important consideration is your homeowner’s coverage and how it relates to fire risk. Our GACC Wildfire Preparedness committee chair Amy Merritt-Smith has created this Homeowners 101 report with some great suggestions. 

Homeowners’ Insurance Check-up by Amy Merritt-Smith, December 2025

Independent agents and direct homeowners’ insurance policy sellers advise reviewing and possibly updating your policy during the winter, outside wildfire season. Proactively read and understand policy coverage.

Key policy areas to review with your agent are:  

Coverage A: Dwelling and Other Structures, including hardscape, fencing, sheds, and outbuildings. Consider a replacement cost coverage versus a cash value policy. Contractors and recent comparable home sales offer guidance on current price per square foot estimates.

Coverage B: Contents. Inventory and make images of possessions and save those to the cloud. Consider extra coverage for jewelry, art, and antiques.

Coverage C: Loss of Use. Many policies limit coverage to 24 months. Other coverage. This typically includes landscape, debris removal, and code upgrades. Harden your home by creating defensible space around your home’s exterior to increase your safety and potentially influence your premium and coverage.

Always take steps to protect your home and family!  See the GACC Wildfire Committee’s flyer on Personal and Property preparedness at

https://staging.avenuescouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GACC-Wildfire-Flyer-web.pdf

Give your insurer proof of any work you’ve done. 

United Policy Holders is an independent resource for insurance guidelines: www.uphelp.org

Email gaccwildfire@slc-avenues.org with any questions about this information.

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS GUIDELINES 

The best thing a homeowner can do to protect their property is CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE.

Some easy and immediate steps to take are:

• Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers.
• Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
• Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
• Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows
• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn.
• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

The time you spend on wildfire prevention around your home is important and the SLC Fire Department is asking residents to report the hours you spend removing possible wildfire fuels around your home.

More information on wildfire prevention and preparation can be seen at https://www.slc.gov/fire/wildland/.

LINKS TO WILDFIRE PREPARATION RESOURCES

MAKE A PLAN – Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and your property. See the link for Salt Lake City’s Personal Wildfire Action Plan.  

US Drought monitor – https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

Western US Mega drought – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/american-west-may-be-entering-megadrought-worse-any-historical-record-180974688/

Be Aware of Weather Conditions – Eastern Great Basin – Rocky Mountain Region

Have a Plan – https://www.slc.gov/fire/ready-set-go/ https://www.ready.gov/wildfires

“Go Bags” – The best go bags are personalized. Everyone’s most likely risks (wildfire, earthquake, etc.) and personal needs (kids, pets, meds, etc) are different. Where we are each likely to evacuate to may also be different (shelter, friends or relatives, office space, etc.).

Prepare a Personalized “Go Bag”: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SOlvLKjMm0D0sWpqjVxX6Tv5ghft3pUl/view

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: https://beready.utah.gov/

Help Your Children Be Ready For Disasters:  “Sesame Street Wildfires” poster 

Be Ready Utah: DISASTER SUPPLY KIT CHECKLIST

 How Do Homes Burn in a Wildfire? (Hint – It is often the small things!)

Yard Litter and Landscaping – Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)

Remodeling Structural Envelopes To Reduce Fire Risk

Five Things That Can Protect Communities 

SLC has a new Citizen Wildfire Mitigation Program 

SLC Guidelines for Trimming and Seeding of Grasses on Salt Lake City Open Space Lands Adjacent to Eligible Parcels

See the Wildfire Evacuation Checklist HERE

 Please contact your Greater Avenues Wildfire Preparedness Community Liaison, Amy Merritt-Smith at gaccwildfire@slc-avenues.org. or call (707) 849-6124 with any questions.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Fire sense is common sense.

Heat or sparks plus dry grass and brush equals a whole lot of trouble.

Managing Wildfire Risks in the Avenues – see the GACC Wildfire webpage HERE ALWAYS USE FIRE SENSE – even in winter! Fire sense is common sense. The trick is just using it. We all know that heat or sparks plus dry grass and brush equals a whole lot of trouble. Here are two web sites that give practical tips on creating defensible space around our homes: https://utahfiresense.org/ and https://utahfireinfo.gov/

Wildfire Preparedness
Welcome to the GACC Wildfire Preparedness Committee web page.

OUR MISSION – The mission of the GACC Wildfire Preparedness Committee is to educate Avenues residents of the dangers of wildfire within our community and to help them prevent, prepare, and mitigate.

Residents may submit a request for a Defensible Space Assessment here: https://www.slc.gov/fire/contact/.

There is a new GACC Wildfire/Firewise web-page with resources and recommendations for those who live in the “Firewise Candidate” area and for those living outside the official Firewise area who want to know more about how to protect their home, family and community. See the new page here: FIREWISE

Over 1,500 residences within the Avenues are vulnerable to the threats and risks of wildfire due to their proximity to the fire-prone “Wildland Urban Interface” (WUI). It is important for these residents to understand how fire can damage their homes and property and how they can lessen the possibility of damage. If each of us does our part to reduce risk, we can collectively create a safer, more resilient neighborhood.wui

OUR VISION

The vision of the Committee is a neighborhood that is resilient to wildfire and whose residents proactively work to reduce the risks associated with living in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).

GACC Wildfire Preparedness Links:

• US Drought monitor –
• Western US Mega drought –
• Utah Wildfire Season –
• Marshall Fire (Louisville, CO) –
• Weather details of Marshall fire and video of widespread destruction –
• NCAR Fire (Boulder, CO) –
• Be Aware of weather conditions – (Eastern Great Basin – Rocky Mountains)
• Have a Plan – 
• Ready.gov

Go Bags

“Go Bags” – The best go bags are personalized. Everyone’s most likely risks (wildfire, earthquake, etc.) and personal needs (kids, pets, meds, etc) are different. Where we are each likely to evacuate to may also be different (shelter, friends or relatives, office space, etc.).

Some people like to pack items by category (or switch out clothes by season) in smaller organization bags like many people use for travel (there are a lot of choices – one example: 

Here are two web-sites with good suggestions for personalized “Go Bags”:

1. https://www.ready.gov/kit
2. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SOlvLKjMm0D0sWpqjVxX6Tv5ghft3pUl/view (this is from BeReady.Utah.gov)

How Do Homes Burn in a Wildfire? (Hint – It is often the small things!)

Yard Litter and Landscaping – Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) –

• https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021_CSFS_HIZGuide_Web.pdf
• https://www.slc.gov/fire/wildland/

Remodeling – Structural envelope – 

Toppled grave at Fort Douglas from windstorm

SLC September 8, 2020 windstorm –

Five things that need to be done () – 

SLC has a new Citizen Wildfire Mitigation Program for “Fire Mitigation Permit Eligible” properties. Visit this link to See if your property qualifies: 

We encourage all to review the “Guidelines for Trimming and Seeding of Grasses on Salt Lake City Open Space Lands Adjacent to ELIGIBLE PARCELS”: 

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS GUIDELINES

The best thing a homeowner can do to protect their property is create defensible space. Some easy and immediate steps to take are:

• Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers.
• Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
• Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
• Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows
• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn.
• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.
• The time you spend on wildfire prevention around your home is important and the SLC Fire Department is asking residents to report the hours you spend removing possible wildfire fuels around your home.

More information on wildfire prevention and preparation

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD