Park City Council weighs median removal, design tradeoffs in SR-224 Bus Rapid Transit project

Traffic moving smoothly along SR-244 in November 2022. Photo: TownLift // Bailey Edelstein

PARK CITY, Utah — As design for the long-planned SR-224 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project moves forward, Park City Council is being asked to make key decisions that could reshape one of the city’s busiest corridors. At a work session planned for Thursday, city staff will present updated proposals that would remove portions of the landscaped median along SR-224 in order to reduce the project’s overall footprint and limit the amount of widening required.

Transportation officials say eliminating select sections of the 15-foot-wide landscaped median would allow the BRT lane to fit within a narrower cross-section, easing construction impacts and costs. Under the proposal, the median would be replaced with a 4-foot version in targeted segments—specifically between Payday Drive and Meadows Drive, and north of Meadows to just south of the iconic White Barn.

“The goal is to minimize road widening while still delivering the transit-only lane needed to support future BRT service,” said Transportation Director Tim Sanderson.

While removing the median could offer cost savings and long-term maintenance benefits, the change comes with tradeoffs. Landscaped medians have been shown to improve aesthetics, reduce vehicle speeds, and assist with stormwater runoff. The plan would also eliminate a median break currently used for emergency turnarounds and would limit access to the White Barn parking area to right-in, right-out movements only.

According to the staff report, advocacy group Save People Save Wildlife has expressed initial support for the design change however a spokesperson for the organization further clarified their stance.

“It would be more cost effective to not replace the medians at all and, in terms of wildlife frequently crossing SR224, the vegetated medians provide cover, and animals can seek refuge in the medians, surprising drivers if the animals jump out into traffic and creating a safety concern,” Erin Ferguson said.

The BRT line, which is being developed in coordination with UDOT and High Valley Transit (HVT), is intended to provide high-frequency, express transit between Kimball Junction and Park City, ultimately reducing traffic congestion on SR-224.

City Council is expected to weigh in on several critical design elements over the coming weeks. At its June 12 meeting, the Council will be asked whether it supports full widening of SR-224 within city limits, the proposed location and design of the Thaynes/Snow Creek BRT station, and the reconfiguration of the “Box of Rocks” intersection—including a proposal to add dual left-turn lanes.

For now, Council members are being asked whether to greenlight a design approach that removes portions of the landscaped median to keep the overall project width narrower and construction more efficient.

Formal action is not expected until later stages of the project, but staff say early direction is essential to avoid costly redesigns and delays as the BRT effort moves toward construction.

Residents can learn more about the BRT project and view upcoming meeting agendas at parkcity.org.

Editor’s note: This story haas been update to clarify the stance of Save People Save Wildlife.