South Salt Lake City and Salt Lake are teaming up to increase safety and accessibility for users of the Jordan River Trail. The two entities are planning to construct a new section of sidewalk connecting the popular trail directly to 3300 South.

This project is being undertaken in response to reports of safety concerns near the current connection point, particularly surrounding a dark bridge.

“There have been some reports of safety issues on the Jordan River Trail where it meets 3300 South,” Planner Carl Osterberg told the city council on Oct. 29. “There's a dark bridge there that has been reported to have a quite unsafe feeling.” 

“There were even a couple of assaults there where residents or victims did not have a place to go,” he added. 

To address these concerns, the city and county jointly applied for and received a grant through the Utah Division of Natural Resources. The total project cost is estimated at $49,666. The grant will cover the majority of the expense, but South Salt Lake City is responsible for a $10,000 local match to activate the funding.

“We need to pay that local match to get this connection built,” Osterberg said. “All we need is to transfer our match to the county.” 

The project involves moving a fence into Tracy Aviary’s property to create a wider, safer path.

“The goal is to make a wider path that would more safely connect somebody to 3300 South,” Osterberg said. “It's just another access point that users of the trail can get on and feel safe and comfortable.”

Construction is anticipated to begin next spring or summer, following the finalization of an interlocal agreement between the two government bodies. The county will oversee the project, including hiring and paying the contractor.

South Salt Lake City staff are excited about the project. 

 “There's a lot of coordination between different city departments. Fire is excited to get this extra connection. Police are excited to have a safer spot,” Osterberg said, saying the project will benefit the whole community.