What exactly is at risk from UDOT’s I-15 Expansion
A recent Salt Lake Tribune article broke down some of what is being sacrificed to expand I-15. The Utah Department of Transportation recently finished their final environmental study on their proposal to expand I-15, and somehow it didn’t seem to make a difference.
Decades of research on highway expansions has shown that not only do they have a negative impact on health and communities, but they don’t improve traffic issues either.
Known as “induced demand,” highway expansion encourages more car travel, leading to increased traffic and pollution over time rather than easing congestion. This added vehicle traffic produces fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), pollutants linked to asthma, heart disease, and premature death. Communities near highways—often lower-income and already facing health disparities—bear the brunt of these impacts, with higher rates of respiratory issues and cardiovascular problems. Expanding highways thus not only fails to resolve congestion but also jeopardizes public health, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The recent study also confirmed the project’s cost has more than doubled from initial estimates, skyrocketing from $1.7 billion to $3.7 billion. Beyond the financial cost to Utah taxpayers, this expansion will likely displace over 20 families, along with numerous small businesses and destroy parks that are vital to the local community—making this a clear environmental justice issue. Instead of investing in projects that increase pollution, disrupt neighborhoods, and don’t even work to reduce traffic congestion, we urge UDOT to explore sustainable, community-centered transportation solutions that prioritize clean air and livable spaces for all Utahns.
Full Salt Lake Tribune article.
See our previous comments to UDOT, outlining the research behind our concerns ↓