Lawmakers finish draft settlement for Legacy

Lawmakers finished drafting a settlement deal Friday that could ultimately remove the roadblocks that have stymied construction of the Legacy Parkway.

By finalizing the agreement, the state is now on track to approve or reject the deal during a tentatively scheduled special session Nov. 9 — realistically the last chance to vote on the agreement this year.

Lawmakers close to the negotiations say they are "cautiously optimistic" that the finalized settlement is such that a majority of lawmakers will approve it during the special session. The deal includes an agreement that would allow smaller trucks to use the road but not 80,000-pound semi trucks.

"To get to this point where we feel we have defined things in such a manner that we understand what each other means and feel in harmony with the agreement in principle — Hallelujah!" said Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse.

He continued: "Do I feel optimistic? Yes. Do I understand the realities of the element of time, personalities and outside influences? Yes."

Outside groups are already working to sway opinions about the deal.

Friday morning, a group called Friends of Legacy began running ads on KSL radio that say the Legacy deal sets a bad precedent in allowing a small group to determine how roads should be built.

One ad begins with an announcer saying: "We all know about the lawsuit filed by a handful of environmentalists that stalled construction (of Legacy) for more that five years and cost us taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Now they're telling us that Legacy will finally get under way, but only if we meet the Sierra Club's demands."

The ad continues with the announcer listing several provisions included in a framework settlement deal signed last month: a ban on trucks, speed limits of 55 mph and a limited shoulder-width for the road.

Consultant Dave Owen and Rep. Dave Ure, R-Kamas, are two of those behind the ad campaign, which is scheduled to run through next weekend. The ads cost more than $10,000 with several groups contributing, including a small portion by the Utah Truckers Association.

"I'm not trying to kill the Legacy Parkway," said Ure. "I want the highway built, but I believe the compromise is wrong."

The negotiated settlement sets a precedent that allows small groups to use "extortion" to further a cause, said Ure. He also said the state should not be afraid to go back to court — negotiation isn't the only option.

"Why don't we go to court and find out what happens?" he said. "I think they're afraid of going to court and I'm not afraid of courts."