Transportation

801-535-6630 | transportation@slc.gov

Kensington Avenue Neighborhood Byway

Responsive Margin

June 16 update: Construction from 1500 East to Main Street is almost done! Cleanup and minor work will wrap up by mid-July. Contact us at kensingtonbyway@slc.gov or 385-360-5673 with questions.

What’s a Neighborhood Byway?

Neighborhood Byways are quiet residential streets designed for safe and comfortable walking, biking, and rolling. With safer crosswalks, traffic calming, bicycle-friendly design, wayfinding signs, and better connections to destinations, these routes offer a pleasant alternative to busy roads. Salt Lake City is building a network of people-friendly streets that makes active transportation an easy choice for everyday trips. Discover all the routes and learn more on the byways home page.

The Kensington Byway

The Kensington Byway runs along Kensington Avenue from West Temple to 1500 East. A future phase—currently unfunded and without a set timeline—will extend the byway east through Wasatch Hollow Park to Foothill Drive. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) recently installed a signalized crosswalk for people walking and biking at the intersection of Foothill Drive and Kensington Avenue. Learn more about the Foothill Drive Safety Project on the UDOT website.

More info

Planning study and public input

The documents below provide a deeper look into how the Kensington Neighborhood Byway came together—from what we heard during community outreach, to what we observed about current street conditions, to how that input shaped the final design. Together, they offer a snapshot of the planning process and the voices that helped guide it.

Designs

View the Kensington Byway plans from west to east, beginning at Main Street, or view the complete Kensington Byway plans here.

Timeline

Summer to fall 2022: Gather initial pre-design feedback and study the byway

Fall 2022 to spring 2023: Develop concept designs

Summer 2023: Announce preliminary designs, gather public feedback, and refine concept designs

Fall to winter 2023: Environmental study

Winter to summer 2024: Construction design

Fall 2024: Announce final designs

Spring to summer 2025: Construction

Frequently asked questions

What changes are considered along these routes?

Street changes along these routes will be evaluated through a planning and public engagement process. Improvements may include:

  • Crossing upgrades ranging from flashing signs to traffic signals, based on traffic speed, volume, and safety needs
  • Traffic calming features like speed humps, traffic circles, and chicanes to reduce speeding and discourage cut-through traffic
  • Curb extensions (or bulb-outs) at intersections to shorten crossing distances and slow turning vehicles
  • Curb ramps designed for bicyclists to easily access pedestrian push buttons at signalized crossings
  • Wayfinding signs and pavement markings to guide people along the route
  • Greening elements, such as trees, landscaped medians, or planters, to enhance comfort

How is a street chosen to be a Neighborhood Byway?

Neighborhood Byways are identified in the Salt Lake City Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and are commonly located along streets with the following characteristics:

  • Narrow residential streets with low to modest vehicle traffic speeds and volumes
  • Direct connections between parks, schools, businesses, and other community destinations
  • Greening along the route such as shade trees

Will this affect access to my home?

You’ll still be able to easily reach your home. Neighborhood Byways make streets safe and comfortable for walking, biking, and rolling with children or pets. This may require traffic calming measures and minor street changes to slow vehicle speeds and reduce cut-through traffic, but access to your property will remain unchanged.


Can I drive my car on a Neighborhood Byway?

Yes, vehicles are allowed, but Neighborhood Byway routes are improved for active modes of transportation such as walking and biking.


Will bike lanes be added?

No. Byways use traffic calming, signage, and pavement markings to create a shared street space rather than painted bike lanes.


Will this affect on-street parking?

Byways typically have little to no impact on parking. In some locations, parking restrictions may be added within 30 feet of a crosswalk or stop sign to improve visibility—an approach known as “daylighting.” While parking is already prohibited in these areas by law, it’s often not signed or enforced. Daylighting helps everyone see and be seen at intersections, making the street safer for all users.


Will emergency vehicles, garbage trucks, and snow plows be able to use the street?

Yes. Neighborhood Byways maintain full access for emergency vehicles and city services. When traffic calming is needed, we use speed cushions instead of traditional speed humps. These raised sections have cutouts wide enough for fire trucks and emergency vehicles to pass through at normal speed, while still slowing passenger cars.

Citywide Byways map

The following Byway routes were identified in Salt Lake City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan in 2015.

Map of Salt Lake City showing recommended and existing neighborhood byways, bikeways, and TRAX lines.

Byway Design Guide

The Salt Lake City Neighborhood Byways Design Guide shows how to make local streets safer and more enjoyable for walking and biking. The guide focuses on quiet, slow streets and includes ideas for choosing routes, improving intersections, and slowing traffic. Our goal is to create connected, livable neighborhoods where walking and biking are easier for everyone.

While we work to follow this guide, real-world challenges may limit what we can do in some locations.

Take a look around

Photos show how this byway improves comfort and safety for people walking, biking, and rolling through the neighborhood.

The Kensington Neighborhood Byway where it crosses the McClelland Trail.
A photo of a person running near the 15th and 15th neighborhood node.

Contact us

Have a question or want to stay connected?

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