The Utah Department of Transportation wants to develop a trail connecting Price to Helper. With three plans currently developed, UDOT is working with the city governments of Price and Helper to gauge community interest in the proposed projects.
To aid in this process, the cities are holding an open house on Tuesday, March 4, allowing citizens to speak with local leaders on the project. Helper City Mayor Lenise Peterman joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the project and the finer details of the open house.
“We want to invite or encourage all the citizens who are interested in that type of trail to the open house,” said the Mayor,” UDOT has mapped out three possibilities, but they are open to other ideas if people bring them forth. So we really are encouraging everyone to come out and make their voice heard.”
Peterman also explained the basics of the trail: ” It would be a walking and biking trail; it would be non-motorized. And there are some challenges there connecting, like smaller roads and obviously Highway 6. And again, it comes down to funding. So identifying which route and then going after funding to make it happen.”
Concerning the benefit of this planned trail, Mayor Peterman stated,” I think it’s a health benefit. I’m a cyclist, and I don’t road cycle because I don’t feel safe enough to do so. If this route were to go in and connect those different trails, we would probably have a good 10-mile trail, which people could bike. And not only the health benefit but the mental health benefit of just getting out and doing something recreationally. Connecting our communities has been something I know I have felt strongly about.”
With the plan to construct this trail in the public sphere, Mayor Peterman spoke on the feedback she’s been hearing regarding the plan:” People are super excited. It feels like the community is super excited to connect with us. And that’s really nice to see that they are positive, want to engage, and think it’s a great idea.”
In closing, the Mayor said, ” I hope to see you March 4. UDOT will be running this open house, and everyone is welcome.”
The UDOT open house will be held on Tuesday, March 4, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Helper Auditorium.