Bulldozers in lower Little Cottonwood this week

Did anyone notice the bulldozers in lower Little Cottonwood this week?

😬When the SLCA Policy Committee heard about UDOT’s Merge Lane Project, we jumped on it right away to learn more and ensure minimal impact to climbing areas. Here’s how:

🛣 First, this project will provide a merge lane from the Y at the mouth of the Little Cottonwood Canyon to increase traffic safety.

🛣 The Merge Lane Project was a surprise to the SLCA. UDOT didn’t give the SLCA as a stakeholder heads up on this project in advance- which is a bummer. 

🛣 This week, UDOT’s bulldozers for this construction came alarmingly close to the bouldering resources of Cabbage Patch and Secret Garden in Little Cottonwood Canyon. 

🛣 SLCA met with the Forest Service and UDOT immediately, where we confirmed that this construction would not impact bouldering problems or the landing zones, and that nearby vegetation would be spared as much as possible.

🛣To protect climbing access, we will continue monitoring projects like this, acting as a liaison for the community, and looking into projects that you think might impact our beloved climbing spots! 

You can help by watching @udotcottonwoods and alerting the SLCA to potential climbing access threats. There is a lot happening in LCC right now...

#utpol #utleg #UDOT #littlecottonwood #access #climbing #slca 📸 @louisarevalo at Cabbage Patch

July 29, 2020