1Executive Summary

Until now, Duchesne County or the municipalities in Duchesne County have never created a transportation plan that focused on corridors for alternative modes of transportation such as cycling, pedestrian, paddle, and OHV. As growth in the small urban areas of Duchesne County has taken place, the need for better connectivity for alternative modes of transportation is increasing. Access to public lands in Duchesne County has also become a priority to the community as diversified use of these areas is increasing. Some of these areas include the High Uinta Wilderness Area, Tabby Mountain, Nine Mile Canyon, and Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation Reservoir. These public lands offer a wide variety of use for all user groups among residents and visitors alike.

In the Spring and summer of 2019, information was gathered, public meetings were conducted, and analysis took place to determine the need and feasibility of improving alternative modes of transportation trails and routes in Duchesne County. Much of the analysis and data collection efforts were integrated with a GIS database containing the spatial data. The product of these efforts became some general recommendations for improving alternative transportation trails and routes as well as a list of over 150 projects that would improve connectivity and accessibility for varied trail uses throughout Duchesne County.

General recommendations for improving trails and routes in Duchesne County include the following:

  • Continued and improved coordination between entities to improve
    • Funding and implementation of trails projects
    • Connections for trails
    • Utilizing resources
    • UDOT communication
    • Coordination efforts through the Roosevelt Community and the Badlands Trails Committees
  • Protect existing and future trails and routes corridors through
    • Coordination
    • Land use planning
  • Assign a centralized trails committee or hire a trails coordinator
  • Maintain a prioritized projects list

Specific trails projects were categorized into three categories, Small Urban, Non-Urban and UDOT projects. A priority list was created for each category which includes the top 10 projects based upon feasibility, public comment, connectivity and other relevant factors. Implementation plans were also created for each of the 30 priority projects. The implementation plans include information on feasibility, preliminary project cost estimates, possible funding sources and proposed lead entity. Standard details for projects are also included.

This master plan will be presented to each of the entities in Duchesne County for adoption and inclusion into their resource management or general plans. UDOT and the local entities may use this plan as a reference document based upon public and data driven analysis showing where resources should be utilized to improve trails and routes in Duchesne County.