Background
There have been a number of major planning and transportation studies
of the Nebo region including:
Nebo Community Vision (2001)
Nebo Quadrant Study (2006)
Transit Vision (2006)
MAG Regional Transportation Plan (2007)
I-15 Corridor EIS (2008)
MAG Individual City Meetings (2007-8)
The Nebo Quadrant Study identified a plan for the future transportation
system of the area addressing issues such as connectivity to north
communities, preservation of small town main streets, alternate modes
of transportation, planning for trails and access across Utah Lake. The
study conceptually identified a number of high speed expressways,
freeway standard belt routes, and other limited access highways. The
Provo to Nebo Corridor Study carries forward the analysis of these
"vision projects" by communities in this area.
Past and Future Trends
The Nebo area has experienced tremendous population growth in recent
years and like many bedroom communities has substantially greater
population than employment. The region is rich with natural and
community resources such as farms and open spaces, sensitive biological
resources, water resources including Utah Lake and Main Streets in
smaller communities.
The Nebo Area is projected to continue to experience substantial
population growth reaching a population of around 400,000 by 2040.
While the proportion of employment is projected to increase somewhat,
residential uses will continue to drive development patterns in the
area in the coming decades. Additional community facilities including
hospitals, schools, religious facilities, and sports, arts/culture and
entertainment centers will develop to serve the growing population.
Planning for Regional
Transportation Needs
Substantial increases in traffic congestion are also projected in the
Nebo Area and additional transportation facilities will be needed to
serve the growing demand. The Provo to Nebo study will identify
specific corridor alignments for the two major corridors identified in
the Regional Transportation Plan as Future Vision Projects connecting
the city of Provo in the north and traversing south to the city of
Payson. These corridors are specifically titled the Nebo Loop Corridor
and the University Ave/Spanish Fork Main Street Connector. The study
will also identify routes connecting to these two main corridors and
could include other corridors identified by the committees during the
initial work of the study. Click here for the Study Area Map.
The Provo to Nebo study will review existing data, refine and
coordinate population and socioeconomic forecasts, and prepare updated
forecasts for future travel demand in the corridors. The project team
will work with Nebo Area communities to coordinate socioeconomic and
development assumptions and forecasts and to clearly communicate future
transportation needs with each growing community. This study will look
at environmental impacts (natural, cultural, etc) and social and
community needs, as well as transportation engineering criteria.
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"Provide an integrated intermodal transportation
system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods
while retaining the unique western character of this Wasatch
Mountain/Great Basin environment."
- Mountainland MPO Regional Transportation Plan Vision Statement
2007-2030
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