Wasatch Tunnels Interconnect

Resorts with Tunnels!

Recently, an old idea has resurfaced that would forever change the face and experience of the Wasatch as we know  it. In November, we told you about a proposal to interconnect the Cottonwood Canyons and Park City through a series of automobile tunnels - The AltaBright and CottonPark tunnels. Senator Carlene Walker of Cottonwood Heights had assembled a group of stakeholders including representatives from the ski resorts, Ski Utah, UDOT to discuss the proposal. Initially, groups like Salt Lake Public Utilities, the Forest Service and SOC were not originally asked to attend despite having raised serious concerns.

Over the last five months, this larger group of stakeholders has continued to meet and, despite the concerns raised regarding watershed, wildlife and carrying capacity, the proposal seems to continue, unfettered, on its current course.  While some representatives have wanted to push forward with the idea of interconnected tunnels many, including Save Our Canyons, have been quick to point out that we should look at how to address the effects of expanding population and visitation in the Wasatch and, more importantly, the question of how we protect the resource from this influx of people. At what point does increasing the number of people in the Wasatch decrease the experience for everyone and at what point is the long term damage not worth the price?

Let us focus more on what is best for our community by striving to protect our drinking water, wildlife and our overall quality of life. We are hoping that this group may look further into the future and ask themselves “How do we want to leave the Wasatch for our children?” Is a congested and overcrowded, seven-resort megaplex our idea of “life elevated?”