From Deseret News archives:

Funds go to Utah County I-15 work

Published: Friday, April 22, 2005 11:18 p.m. MDT
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It's official: Utah County will get a quick fix for congestion on I-15 with controversial dollars coming from the state.

On Friday, the Transportation Commission — which approves projects and programming for the Utah Department of Transportation — gave approval for $30 million to go toward expansion of I-15 in Utah County.

The money had been set aside for transportation during the Legislature's general session earlier this year, but controversy arose after senators failed to vote on a bill dictating where the $30 million would go.

Without the vote, the money went to the Centennial Highway Fund, which pays for specific road projects chosen by the Legislature in 1997.

Expansion of I-15 in Utah County is not a Centennial Highway Fund project, which means it can't be funded with those dollars.

After learning of the mix-up, the governor found a loophole to allow the money to go to I-15. But lawmakers were upset, claiming the loophole could allow for more money to be taken from the fund — and away from projects not already funded.

Passage of HB1008 on Wednesday solved the problem, sending the $30 million into the correct transportation fund.

Friday's decision marks the end of the issue.

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"We expected it (the approval) to go through," said UDOT spokesman Brent Wilhite. "This means we can put it (the I-15 project) out to bid next week and begin construction as early as June."

Work on I-15 in Utah County will be similar to the expansion of I-15 in Salt Lake County last year. The median will be filled and a new lane added from Alpine to University Parkway in Orem.

UDOT started an environmental study last year to determine a plan for expanding roads and adding transit to the area, said Wilhite. It is to be completed in three years.

For more information on the environmental study, visit www.udot.utah.gov/i15utahcounty.


E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com

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