On Friday, December 20th, Mayor Jackie Biskupski will be joined by Council Member Ana Valdemoros, City staff, and community members to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the 900 South reconstruction projects.
The $3 million project, between 950 East and 1300 East, began in May and consisted of a full reconstruction of the street, with new underground sewer and storm drain pipes, raised crosswalks, improved curb and gutters, sidewalk enhancements, new accessible ramps and bus stops, and a segment of the new 9-Line Trail. The reconstruction also completely redesigned the 5 way stop intersection at 1100 East and 900 South into a new roundabout configuration. In 2018, the City tested the roundabout concept and other configurations with a series of intersection design “pop-ups.”
“It is these types of investments and collaboration with the community that help us improve our local economy and quality of life” said Mayor Biskupski. “This is the first segment of a new 900 South that will connect our communities and provide more opportunities for people to travel comfortably and safely across the city.”
During the event on Friday, Mayor Biskupski and Council Member Valdemoros will install one of the trail-marker signs for the 9-Line Trail as well as help reveal two community created poems which have been stamped into the sidewalks. The poems are the result of a community workshop led by Salt Lake Community College’s Community Writing Center and reflect the area’s history.
Along with the poems, the City is also seeking to place art in the center of the new roundabout. The Salt Lake City Arts Council has announced an opportunity for Utah artists or artist-led teams to submit qualifications for the 9th South Roundabout public art opportunity. The total project budget is $114,000 with submissions due by January 24, 2020.
The next phase of the 900 South and 9-Line Trail projects will begin in 2021 and extend from 900 East to 900 West. Part of the funding for this phase will be provided by the voter-approved streets reconstruction bond, part of the Funding Our Future initiative announced by Mayor Biskupski in 2018. Additionally, the next phase will use a Salt Lake County active transportation grant, Public Utilities fees, impact fees, Redevelopment Agency funds, and other funding sources totaling $19 million.
“As part of the Funding our Future initiative approved by voters last year, I committed to provide better streets and more transportation options for everyone. The completion of this project exemplifies our fulfillment of that promise and marks the starting point from which we’ll continue to transform 900 South,” said Mayor Biskupski.