Western Cache Corridor study drew nearly 3,000 survey responses, county council told

Presenters, including Jeff Gilbert of the Cache Metropolitan Planning Organization, told the Cache County Council on Oct. 27 that the Western Cache Corridor study drew a little under 3,000 survey responses and is in its second phase, with completion expected in early 2028. ^[1][2]

Jeff Gilbert of the planning organization said the study is paid for by a $2 million earmark sought through Rep. Blake Moore's office and secured in Cache County's name, with UDOT managing the money. The planning organization is providing the local match, which he put at about 7%. ^[2]

A presenter said Cache County is expected to have about 40% more residents by 2055. The work is a planning and environmental linkages study, which combines planning with environmental review so the public does not have to repeat hearings. It covers a large part of the western valley, and the area may narrow as the review proceeds. Public open houses are planned for early 2027 and summer 2027. ^[2]

Presenters said respondents want planning before growth, better north-south mobility, and protection of existing communities, farmland and wetlands. Concerns differed by area: respondents in Clarkston, Cornish and Lewiston stressed regional mobility, while those in Smithfield, Hyde Park and North Logan stressed growth and congestion. ^[2]

A traffic forecast for 2055 that assumes the regional plan is built but no western corridor showed about 71,000 trips crossing a line at the south end of the valley. Responding to a question from Council Member Gunnell, Gilbert said the figures come from a computer model and are a projection, not current traffic. ^[2]