Growth and Transportation

Real leadership requires real solutions, like those put forward by Republican Steve Clark

Don Jarvis (Democrat) believes the solution to the growth and transportation problems in Utah County is to "fully support public transport, including a commuter rail system to alleviate congestion and pollution."

That and "more bicycle lanes."

Ground has already been broken and commuter rail will be up and running soon, thanks to a GOP legislature, but far more is needed. Public transit makes no statistical difference in commuter traffic in communities with fewer than 4,000 people per square mile.¹ Provo, the largest city in Utah County, is well below that density, housing only approximately 2,830 people per square mile,² while Utah County houses less than 200 people per square mile.³

Even in cities with much higher densities, the majority of people do not use public transit, and ridership across the country is declining.⁴ Even in Salt Lake, after initial enthusiasm for TRAX, ridership declined in 2007.⁵ Commuter rail (even with Jarvis' bike lanes) cannot solve our growth and transportation problems on its own.

Real leadership requires real solutions, like those put forward by Republican Steve Clark: "A major artery similar to the Legacy Highway in Davis County or the Centennial Highway in Salt Lake County needs to be constructed on the West Side of Utah Lake and will intersect with I-15 at Payson." As well, we need East/West traffic solutions.

If we are serious about alleviating traffic and congestion, then improving our roads and highways is a must. Having faster, more reliable access to Salt Lake City, the airport, and I-80 will have the added effect of attracting more industry to our valley as well. Cast your vote for growth. Vote for Steve Clark.

1. Thomas Sowell, Economic Facts and Fallacies, page 20.

2. U.S. Census Bureau, www.factfinder. census.gov.

3. Ibid.

4. Thomas Sowell, Economic Facts and Fallacies, page 19.

5. "New method of counting shows 'decline' in TRAX ridership," Deseret News, Jan. 27, 2008. See also "TRAX Ridership Appears to be on the Decline," ksl.com, July 22, 2007.