Residents of Eagle Mountain may hear loud noises in the coming weeks as the Tooele Army Depot has begun its detonation schedule on the south range. These detonations, which started this week, are set to continue weekdays through Oct. 31, 2024.

The detonations are part of the Depot’s routine operations to dispose of expired military munitions and may cause intermittent noise disturbances.

For more information, please refer to the Tooele Army Depot’s public information channels.

Eagle Mountain City took a step this week to plan for a new downtown area.

Following initial discussions last year, Eagle Mountain City is taking a fresh approach to ensure a future downtown meets the needs and expectations of the community.

“We all have an amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design a downtown from scratch, to contribute our ideas and energy into something that will give the city identity for decades.” says Economic Development Director Evan Berrett.

The idea behind creating a downtown is to give Eagle Mountain a central spot where residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of activities and services.

Plans for this area call for small businesses to set up shop, which will be great for local entrepreneurs. It is also intended to offer recreational, cultural, educational and entertainment options for residents.

The design process for the downtown will involve collaborative discussions with stakeholders. The city will be working closely with MHTN Architects, a firm with experience in creating community-centered spaces.

“MHTN will be assuming a supportive role while the City Council, Planning Commission, and most importantly the residents take the lead in defining what this downtown area looks like and contains,” says Berrett.

This process will involve the City Council, the Planning Commission, and input from residents and businesses.

Designers will have to work within certain limits, like how dense the area can be and what types of development are allowed. This ensures that the downtown fits with the city’s vision and community values.

“’Downtown’ can be an uncomfortable word, and maybe ultimately, we will be calling the area something else,” says Berrett. “Regardless, we are aiming to establish an area of the city we love and that matches who we are.”

The City won’t be directly developing the downtown. Instead, it’s looking into acquiring the land needed to make sure the plans are followed. Private developers and companies will be responsible for building the businesses and other features in the downtown area.

The City will consider investing and contributing toward some public amenities and facilities.

Nearby Saratoga Springs is also expected to grow significantly. This means there will be more people living and working in the area, which can support a bustling downtown.

But the new downtown isn’t just for locals; it aims to attract visitors as well, who often spend more at local shops than residents do.

Previously, Eagle Mountain was working on what were called the “Small Area Plans,” which included three different areas for development. These plans were stopped last year.

The new Downtown Master Plan is different, with a focus on creating a more cohesive and community-driven vision, rather than splitting efforts among several smaller projects.

“This year, we are undergoing a General Plan update which will satisfy the needs of other areas that need attention, for now,” says Berrett. “The downtown area will get special priority right now to meet our goals in supporting small businesses and providing better amenities to residents.”

Eagle Mountain City wants to make sure that the new downtown is something everyone feels they have a stake in.

There will be plenty of ways to get involved, including in-person and online feedback options for sharing ideas. Keep an eye out for more information on how you can participate.

A controlled blast is scheduled to take place at the Lehi Peck Quarry on Wednesday, August 21, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Residents and businesses in the area should be aware of the upcoming event.

Residents should be aware that traffic on SR-73 could be slowed prior to the blast taking place. Please adjust your route of travel accordingly.

Eagle Mountain City is set to begin a spray applied surface treatment project on Aug. 26, which aims to protect the community’s newer residential roadways.

The project is expected to last about three weeks and will involve temporary road closures.

The treatment process requires that the roads affected be closed for one day starting at 7 a.m. and reopening by 8 p.m. During this time, residents will be unable to access their driveways.

To minimize inconvenience, the City has divided the affected subdivision streets into sections, with work being done on alternate days. This approach reduces the distance residents must park from their homes, making it easier to navigate during the closures.

Residents on roads scheduled for closure will receive two notices: one a week before the closure and another 24 to 48 hours before work begins. These notifications will provide detailed information on the dates and times of the closures to help residents plan accordingly.

Neighborhoods impacted by the project include Arrival, Branding Park & Brylee Farms, Eagle Heights Village, Eagle Point, Hummer Drive & Patriot Drive, Overland, Scenic Mountain, and Skyline Ridge.

To assist residents in preparing for the project, Eagle Mountain City has published maps and schedules of the affected areas on the “What’s Happening” page of the City’s website.

The City appreciates residents’ patience and cooperation during this essential maintenance project. For more details or to view the maps and schedules, residents are encouraged to visit the City’s website or contact the Public Works Department.

The ongoing construction on Pioneer Crossing is expected to continue causing minor traffic disruptions through the end of September.

The dedicated westbound right turn lane from Pioneer Crossing onto north Mountain View Corridor has been temporarily removed as crews work to widen the lane and shoulder in the area. As a result, all westbound traffic intending to turn right will need to do so from the through lane, likely leading to increased congestion.

Motorists who regularly travel this route are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their commute.

In addition, the contractor will continue utility work, trenching, and excavation for the road widening of 800 West, which will serve as an extension of Mountain View Corridor.

Drivers are urged to exercise caution in the construction zone, adhere to traffic controls, and remain vigilant for workers in and around the work area.

New and existing traffic controls will remain in place throughout the duration of the project.

Lehi Peck Quarry will conduct blasting on Thursday, Aug. 15, between 1-4 p.m. Nearby residents may hear loud noises, and traffic on SR-73 could experience brief slowdowns during the blast. The blasting is planned and necessary. Please drive cautiously and expect minor delays in the area during this time.

As the new school year kicks off this week, Eagle Mountain City is encouraging motorists to exercise extra caution and plan differently for their daily commutes.

With students returning to the classroom on Thursday, Aug. 15, the streets will see an influx of children walking and biking to school, especially during the morning and afternoon hours.

This increase in activity means drivers need to be particularly vigilant around crosswalks and school zones to ensure everyone’s safety.

“Safety starts with awareness,” says School Crossing Guard Supervisor Marie West. “By keeping a vigilant eye on our surroundings and adjusting our travel habits, we can all contribute to a safer environment for our children.”  

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office Eagle Mountain division has emphasized the importance of slowing down and staying alert, especially near schools and residential areas where children are more likely to be present.

In addition to heightened awareness around crosswalks, commuters should also anticipate slightly extended travel times.

“Planning ahead and leaving a little earlier can make a big difference,” says West. “By allowing extra time for your commute, you’re not only reducing your own stress but also helping to create a safer environment for our students.”

The start of the school year typically brings increased traffic during peak hours, as parents drop off their children and buses navigate their routes.

Motorists are encouraged to leave a little earlier than usual to accommodate these delays and avoid the stress of a rushed commute.

Eagle Mountain City officials are also reminding drivers of the importance of obeying all traffic signals and signs, especially those related to school zones.

As the new school year begins, Eagle Mountain City encourages all motorists to contribute to a safe environment by staying mindful of children in crosswalks and allowing for slightly longer commute times.

By exercising caution and planning ahead, motorists can help ensure a smooth transition into the school season for everyone.

Eagle Mountain is gearing up for its largest annual event, ShopFest Utah, a celebration that has become synonymous with small business success.

This year’s event will be held Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Cory Wride Memorial Park.

“Shopfest Utah 2024 is going to be the biggest in history,” says Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce President Melissa Clark. “We have thousands of shoppers come from all over the intermountain west and small businesses spanning from Logan to St. George and from Grantsville to Vernal. Eagle Mountain is the place where shoppers come to shop and businesses come to grow.”

What began as a modest street fair has transformed into a major event that draws visitors from across the state, showcasing the best of Utah’s small businesses.

ShopFest Utah was born out of a need to bolster small local businesses, especially those home-based enterprises that have flourished in Eagle Mountain.

The community, which has always prided itself on fostering entrepreneurship, recognized the challenges posed by its distance from major transportation corridors like the I-15. This made it essential to find innovative ways to support the growing number of small businesses in Eagle Mountain.

As the event continued to grow, the limitations of its original location on Peregrine Rd. became evident. In 2019, the fair relocated to Cory Wride Memorial Park and was rebranded as ShopFest Utah.

This move not only accommodated the increasing number of participants but also allowed the event to attract visitors from across the state. It established the event as Utah’s premier small business shopping event.

The heart of ShopFest Utah is the marketplace. This year’s marketplace will bring together over 300 small businesses from more than 70 cities across Utah. 

“There is something for everyone; from entertainment all day, dozens of food trucks, and food booths,” says Clark. “With the help of ShopFest Utah 2024 Title Sponsor, Comcast, the stage will be filled all day with everything from lizards and snakes to birds of prey, superheroes and princesses.”

Within the marketplace, attendees will find an array of goods and services. Whether you’re looking for unique arts and crafts, stylish apparel and fashion or essential home goods, the marketplace has something for everyone.

Other categories include automotive, baby and children, beauty, books, electronics, entertainment, food and kitchen, health, home décor, instructional, jewelry and accessories, outdoors, pet supplies and care, services, sports and recreation, technology and travel.

ShopFest has grown to include family fun all day long. With bounce houses, pony rides, face painters, Eagle Mountain Royalty and cooled hospitality tents to watch our live entertainment and enjoy lunch.

Today, ShopFest Utah is managed by the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce and continues to showcase Eagle Mountain’s commitment to supporting small businesses.

“In 2018, the Chamber was founded to support local business, and this year, with the help of Meta, the Chamber created Launch Pad, a Business Resource Center, to help the small mom and pop with their tables and booths of ShopFest take their businesses from ‘Table to Tech’ with classes, resources and equipment available right in the community to help them grow from one day a year businesses to businesses that serve the world 24/7,” says Clark. 

As the event grows each year, it solidifies its position as Utah’s foremost small business shopping event, drawing thousands of visitors to explore and support local enterprises.

Eagle Mountain City is enhancing road safety by installing advanced warning signage at Ranches Pkwy. and Stonebridge Ln. in both directions of travel.

These new signs, activated today at 1 p.m., will alert motorists to upcoming traffic lights, especially around a curve on Ranches Pkwy. where visibility is limited.

The effort aims to reduce sudden braking and potential collisions by providing drivers with ample notice of the red lights ahead.

The City encourages all motorists to remain attentive and drive safely, especially with this new feature now in place.

Residents and commuters in Eagle Mountain should continue preparing for road work and traffic changes on the Mountain View Corridor extension and Pioneer Crossing.

Starting this week, contractors will continue utility trenching and excavation as part of the road widening and extension project, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.

Key Updates and Impacts:

• Utility Work: Throughout this week and next, expect ongoing utility work, trenching, and excavation on 800 West (MVC extension). The project aims to enhance the road capacity and improve traffic flow.
• Traffic Changes on Pioneer Crossing: On Thursday, the dedicated westbound right-turn lane from Pioneer Crossing onto northbound Mountain View Corridor will be eliminated temporarily. Right-turn traffic will need to use the through lane, potentially causing congestion. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. This phase of work is expected to continue through the end of August.
• Safety Precautions: Motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists are urged to exercise caution in the construction zones. Follow all traffic controls and be vigilant for construction workers and equipment.

SR-73, SR-145, and SR-85 Intersection Improvements:

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is making significant modifications to the intersection of SR-73, SR-145, and SR-85 to enhance capacity and efficiency. The project, which began on July 8, 2024, includes:

• Additional Left Turn Lane: An extra left-turn lane will be added.
• Modified Pavement Stripping: Existing pavement markings will be updated.
• Relocated Bicycle Lane: The bike lane will be moved to improve safety and traffic flow.

Schedule and Expected Impacts:

• Work Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with occasional night work and Saturdays as needed.
• Night Closures: Expect potential night closures at the intersection with signage providing alternative routes.
• Lane Shifts and Barricades: Temporary lane shifts and barricades will be in place during pavement striping.
• Bike Lane and Pedestrian Crossing Interruptions: Temporary disruptions to bike lanes and pedestrian crossings may occur.

Stay Informed:

• Email Updates: Subscribe by emailing mvcandpioneercrossing@utah.gov with “Updates” in the subject line.
• Project Website: Visit www.publicinput.com/s1107 for more details.

Please plan your travel accordingly and stay safe during these essential road improvements.