This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
For several weeks, northbound motorists on Highland Drive in Holladay have confronted traffic cones and a barricade in the far right lane at about 5200 South, causing them to swerve into the middle lane, slam on their brakes or even run over the cones.
The blockade covers about half a block, spurring traffic problems, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours.
The kicker: There is no evidence of any construction going on or any other reason to block the lane. No workers have been seen in the area. There are just the cones and the barricade.
Holladay resident Karen Morais, who has narrowly escaped crashes from the obstruction, says she has called Holladay City to complain, but has received no response.
Holladay isn't the problem.
Salt Lake City's water line in that area broke several weeks ago "and they fixed it," said Tosh Kano, Holladay's public works director. "But they haven't come back and patched it. I keep telling those guys to come back and patch it, but they haven't done it and it's been over two weeks. Now I tell them, get out here and do something; I've got The Salt Lake Tribune calling me."
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Road not taken • For more than two weeks — from late August to mid-September — traffic cones, construction signs and an electronic arrow trailer in the westbound far right lane of 2nd Avenue at State Street in Salt Lake City blocked the dedicated turn lane onto northbound State Street, causing massive backups.
Again, no construction workers have been seen at the site, and there is no evidence of a construction project.
On Aug. 14, resident Scott Hester-Johnson posted a complaint on the city's webpage. The next day, the cones and barricades were removed. But one has to wonder: Is New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie advising street-maintenance officials in Salt Lake County on traffic-control methods?
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Insomnia in Taylorsville • Massive construction is progressing on Bangerter Highway in Taylorsville to turn the west-side corridor into more of a freewaylike thoroughfare, complete with on- and off-ramps.
To minimize commuter obstructions, the Utah Department of Transportation has opted to perform the work at night, when there is far less traffic.
But taking care of one problem often creates others.
The nighttime construction is loud, keeping residents in the surrounding neighborhoods awake.
Spokesman John Gleason said UDOT has received a handful of complaints in the past week. The current work is to install pipes in preparation for next spring's overhaul.
"We understand the inconvenience and would like folks to call us with their concerns," said Gleason. The number for the project team, he said, is 1-888-766-7623.
The good news: Work on the current project in that area is expected to wrap up this weekend.
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Hidden agenda? • I wrote recently about Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes' email to supporters seeking campaign contributions days after his Democratic rival dropped out of the race, leaving him facing minority-party candidates with negligible support.
Since then, word has come my way that the real reason Reyes needs more contributions is to build a campaign stash to run for the U.S. Senate against Orrin Hatch in two years. Reyes' reportedly has been courting support for such a bid and has indicated a keen interest in a political promotion from attorney general.