USU interns publicize U.S. 89 construction
CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?:
USU interns staff the information booth for US 89 construction
at Summerfest. / Photo by Kristin Bishop
July 17, 2005 | Wearing fluorescent
orange construction vests and hard hats, the Utah State
intern team was easy to spot at Cache Valley's annual
Summerfest in June. A group of students at USU has been
busy this summer working in conjunction with the Utah
Department of Transportation to inform Cache and Garden
City residents of the reconstruction of U.S. 89.
The interns were at Cache Valley's annual Summerfest
to distribute balloons, fliers and an informational
hot-line number to educate the public on the details
and benefits of the project.
Through the creative construction of colorful balloons
the intern team has involved children in the effort
to inform the adults. Passing out numerous balloons
to excited children helped create curiosity about the
project while broadcasting the printed hot-line number.
The team has also constructed a clear, imprinted sticker
specialized for a car window that offers the convenience
of having the number available while on the road.
The team is working with the majority of businesses
along 400 North in Logan, hoping to target individuals
that may stop and shop before heading through the canyon.
The car sticker and an informational flier have been
distributed to many of these businesses and can be picked
up at the customer service desk of both Smith's and
Albertson's. They are also located at the checkout desk
of all three gas stations: 7-Eleven, Chevron, and Phillips
66. The team has also constructed an information-gathering
survey to more accurately c
alculate and assess local residents concerns with the
construction. Surveys may be picked up at any of the
three gas stations, filled-out, and delivered back to
the station attendant. The intern team plans to calculate
the results and publish them toward the end of August.
The four interns -- Kristin Bishop, Jon Menosek, Blake
Berret and Brandon Taylor -- are all public relations
majors that have been working together since the first
of June for one common goal: to produce a positive public
perception of UDOT throughout the construction project.
The interns have been focusing on the no construction
on weekends and holidays policy that UDOT has set in
place. UDOT has agreed to postpone any blasting operations
on weekends or holidays and insists that both lanes
of travel in each direction will remain open on weekends
and holidays. UDOT, along with the intern team, recognizes
the amount of travel that occurs on U.S. 89 throughout
the summer months and wants to provide local residents
with a hassle-free summer and traveling experience.
In this fast paced world the majority of people dislike
being delayed and often become enraged. They forget
to focus on the benefits or the positive outcomes the
project will provide. The intern team is determined
to be present at all of the local activities from Logan
to Garden City in order to create knowledge of the benefits
this project will bring to the local residents.
Some of the benefits include: flattening of several
sharp curves to meet current safety standards, construction
of uphill and downhill passing lanes, improved drainage,
signing, and paint markings, construction of three new
bridges, improved intersections and access, and construction
of a Bear Lake Overlook and Rest Area, and widening
of US-89 from the Bear Lake Summit to Garden City. All
of the improvements are designed to provide a safer
traveling experience for commuters, residents, and vacationers
that use U.S. 89.
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