Meadows Crossing

Background

In 2015, Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) initiated a study to evaluate the feasibility, cost, economic, and transportation benefit of a proposed roadway connection between The Meadows shopping district and the existing FrontRunner commuter rail station in American Fork. This would include an I-15 crossing that would accommodate passenger vehicles, buses, bicycles, pedestrians, and possibly bus rapid transit or light rail. The roadway would connect to or cross Pioneer Crossing and provide access to a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) currently being constructed through development by American Fork City near the FrontRunner station.

The proposed Meadows Crossing bridge would be within American Fork City limits, but the study area included areas of American Fork and Lehi. Study roadways included adjacent I-15 interchanges, Pioneer Crossing, State Street, 200 South (American Fork), Pacific Drive, 700 South (Lehi), Mill Pond Road, and elements of the future Vineyard Connector and Pony Express Parkway.

Goals of the 2015 Meadows Crossing Study

  • Develop a multimodal connection concept between The Meadows, the American Fork Station Area, and Vineyard Connector
  • Identify the transportation, economic, and quality of life benefits of developing the connection
  • Identify the best location, connection points, and road type for the Vineyard Connector
  • Involve stakeholders in the study process

Key Drivers

  • Access to American Fork FrontRunner Station and potential light rail
  • Economic opportunity
  • Improve vehicle circulation and relieve traffic demand at I-15 interchange

Study Objectives:

Meadows Crossing - develop and evaluate scenarios for crossing I-15 and Pioneer Crossing, creating a connection between the Meadows Shopping Center and the American Fork FrontRunner Station.

Existing and Future Conditions

Meadows Crossing Access

Local access and circulation are limited in American Fork in proximity to the Pioneer Crossing interchange due to major barriers that bifurcate the area. These barriers include I-15, Union Pacific Railroad, and the UTA FrontRunner tracks.

Meadows Crossing Access

Specifically, access and mobility are restricted between the high-density transit-oriented development (TOD) at the FrontRunner American Fork Station southwest of I-15 and the core commercial retail and employment opportunities and high-and medium-density housing on the northeast side of I-15.

American Fork FrontRunner Station Access

The most accessible routes to the American Fork FrontRunner Station are via Pioneer Crossing/Mill Pond Road to the west and the 300 West undercrossing to the east, both of which require out-of-direction travel and travel through congested facilities (Pioneer Crossing interchange, State Street, Pacific Drive, etc.).

American Fork FrontRunner Station Access

These two routes that can connect non-motorized travelers from the commercial core of American Fork to the FrontRunner Station are along facilities that are disconnected, unsafe, and uncomfortable.

Transit

Portions of this area on the east side of I-15 are planned to be a part of Central Corridor Transit, a bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor that serves both local and regional trips in Utah County from Lehi to Provo, including several stations in American Fork (at approximately Pacific Drive/State Street, Center Street/State Street, and 860 East/State Street).

This area is currently served by UTA fixed route 850, which is the second highest ridership bus route in Utah County. Both the 850 and future Central Corridor Transit do not envision a direct connection to the American Fork FrontRunner Station.

MAG, UTA and the local communities west of the FrontRunner Station studied long term transportation solutions. During that study a need for a future high-capacity transit route along Pioneer Crossing beyond the year 2050 was identified.

Project Goals

  • Improve mobility between American Fork FrontRunner Station and TOD and core areas of commercial retail and denser housing on the east side of I-15.
  • Improve safety for non-motorized access to American Fork FrontRunner Station.
  • Meet local and regional demands by relieving traffic at I-15/Pioneer Crossing interchange, I-15/Lehi Main Street interchange, and local demands in American Fork along State Street and Pacific Drive.
  • Facilitate a connection between American Fork FrontRunner Station with existing transit and future high-capacity transit facilities.

Concepts and Key Findings

Traffic Volumes

Four concepts were developed. 2050 daily volumes are shown in the accompanying graphic.

1020 West (at-grade at Pioneer Crossing)

1020 West (grade-separated at Pioneer Crossing)

Park-n-ride lot (grade-separated at Pioneer Crossing)

Roosevelt Avenue (at-grade at State Street)

Alternative Concepts Costs

Next Steps

Near-term Actions

  • UDOT is conducting an Intersection Control Evaluation at the 1020 West/Pioneer Crossing intersection to identify short term solutions
    • Evaluating options to improve access to the development on the north side of Pioneer Crossing
    • Evaluating safety and operational improvements without adversely impacting I-15 and the interchange area along Pioneer Crossing

Long-term Actions

  • American Fork is pursuing funding for environmental review