From Deseret News archives:
Move ahead with Legacy
Transportation planners believe they have satisfied the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals' order that the Utah Department of Transportation review five issues related to construction of the 14-mile highway in southern Davis County. The reviews, which included issues such as a narrower right-of-way and impacts on wildlife, resulted in few changes from the original environmental impact statement. Transportation planners hope that the supplemental environmental impact statement, or SEIS, will satisfy the court's requirements and allow construction of the project to begin anew once the proper permits are in hand. Best-case scenario, construction of the highway would not begin until spring 2006 and be completed by late 2008 or early 2009.
Indeed, this project is long overdue.
But as UDOT embarks on a 60-day public comment period on the SEIS, opposition to the Legacy Parkway is alive and well. The Sierra Club and Utahns for Better Transportation say their alternative "Smart Growth Initiative" can save $200 million. It emphasizes light rail, bus and commuter rail as well as widening I-15 to 10 lanes along some segments in Davis County. In addition, the groups propose that UDOT build a road that extends Redwood Road from I-215 and heads north to Parrish Lane at I-15, which would establish a second corridor from Davis County to Salt Lake County.
It sounds good in theory, especially the lower price tag, but transportation officials say the groups' numbers don't wash. Transit projects will carry just 6 percent of the transportation load in southern Davis County, which isn't enough to reduce the need for the Legacy Parkway.
One very compelling aspect of the Legacy Parkway is a 2,098-acre nature preserve to be created along the project's western borders. This land will be protected in perpetuity. If the project cannot be undertaken, the land would go up for sale, presumably for development. That would be the worst of all worlds: more residences and businesses, insufficient infrastructure to accommodate them and more impacts upon migratory birds.
The most logical plan is to move ahead with the long-studied and carefully planned Legacy Parkway.
Comments
- FBI awards Salt Lake Gang project 6:27 p.m.
- Elder Royden Glade Derrick dies 6:26 p.m.
- Dr.: Mitchell seeks signs from God 6:18 p.m.
- Storm pounds Utah for 2nd day 6:18 p.m.
- Rare Scouting document donated 6:16 p.m.
- Vaccine available to all in Utah Co. 6:16 p.m.
- Farmington Jr. principal dies 6:12 p.m.
- Charter school laws among best 6:09 p.m.
- UT Co. to bond for convention center 6:08 p.m.
- Victim's mom wants teen in adult court 6:05 p.m.
- BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
- Yet again, we learn BCS is a big joke
- Storm pounds Utah for 2nd day
- Williams' late jumper tops Spurs
- Cougars in better mood about bowl
- Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
- Ranking the bowl games
- $2M error could mean layoffs
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Dr.: Mitchell seeks signs from God
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
276 - Letters: Global warming a lie
210 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
203 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
155 - Cougars going back to Vegas
147 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
141 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
101 - Harpring's NBA career is over
99 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
98
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
I agree with whoever said it works well when there's only one lane of traffic...
"Your not a BYU Grad." By the way, it is YOU ARE not a BYU Grad, not your....
Undergraduate and graduate, my friend, which is why I am disappointed in:...
lets not put all the blame on Anserson. His marketing team had a big part in...
Some of our children and grandchildren were friends with Jared and they...
Mr. Anderson was not alone in this hoax... I understand that Bryan has fessed...
That is so dumb! I think I will listen to 98% of all scientists and NOT the...
I think it is sad and pathetic that any team would play worse and be less...
What were the Flash thinking? Do they not teach business ethics at BYU? I...
This is one of the worst and I mean worst movies I have ever seen. It is so...


You can be the first to comment on this story.