Legacy Parkway gets green light

Suits can be filed on future extensions of Legacy — an area of concern for some lawmakers. Other concerns include the prohibition on commercial trucks, and overall consternation that a deal was even considered with those who have fought against Legacy for so long.

"I understand the popularity of this road for the people in northern Utah," said Dave Creer, president of the Utah Truckers Association. "But to ban trucks from a major new highway, from a major new freight corridor, will again be a national victory for environmental groups. All new highways built throughout the United States and throughout our state will now be challenged to prohibit commerce, to prohibit trucking from those corridors."

Creer continued: "To give up commerce to allow this freeway to be built is a travesty, and it'll be a mark on the state of Utah and all future road projects to come."

In a past interview, House Speaker Greg Curtis said he was concerned that negotiating would start the state down "a significant policy road in regards to driving policy by litigation."

Both state officials and Davis County leaders said negotiating a deal to end lawsuits against Legacy was in the "best interest" of taxpayers. Since 2001, the cost to build Legacy has risen by $217 million. An additional court challenge would have increased the cost by another $100 million.

The current cost to build the road is estimated at $689 million.

"We could have said we're going to court again and then spent another two to three years and another $100 million and maybe won," said Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert. "But it's somewhat of a crap shoot whether you win or lose. I'm sure the state thought they would win before, and now, $220 million later, we haven't built any road. I don't know if that's in the best interest of the taxpayer."

Construction on Legacy was halted in 2001 after a successful lawsuit by the Sierra Club, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and Utahns for Better Transportation. The Utah Department of Transportation and two federal administrations were asked by the courts to review five environmental impacts of the road more extensively.

The Legacy Parkway is planned to run adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, stretching 14 miles from North Salt Lake to Farmington. About 160 acres of wetlands will be destroyed by construction of the road.

Despite the impact, Davis County leaders say residents have waited long enough for the road to be built. The county has no major alternative to I-15.

"It's wonderful to have a choice for another alternative to mobility in the county," said Davis County Commissioner Dannie McConkie.

Added Layton Mayor Jerry Stevenson: "I'm not sure it's a perfect agreement, but it'll get traffic moving at least."