Big news for outdoor enthusiasts and green transit supporters in the Beehive State: Utah Governor Spencer Cox has unveiled a completed master plan map for the expansive Utah Trail Network. According to UDOT, the state now has a visionary roadmap that will eventually make it possible for 95% of Utahns to quickly find a trail within one mile of where they live.
The announcement was made during Cox's keynote address at the Utah Transportation Conference. Not only will the plan add 2,600 miles of new paved trails, but it will also enhance 500 miles of existing trails to bolster connections across communities. The Governor emphasized the benefits of the initiative, stating, "We need to spend more time outside, more time connecting with people and more time exercising, and the way we do that is through our trail system," as per UDOT. This massive project endeavors to directly link to significantly reduce the distance many Utahns must travel to access green spaces and active transportation routes.
The state's trail plan is ambitious in scope, intending to seamlessly connect 208 towns and cities, various educational institutions, and numerous parks both state and national. "The Utah Trail Network will connect communities in every corner of the state and give people more ways to move, explore and enjoy life here," mentioned UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras in a recent interview, as obtained by UDOT.
