The Utah Department of Transportation has scheduled a hearing for Thursday to discuss whether the court injunction on the Legacy Parkway should be lifted.

The hearing is set for 1 p.m. at U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City.

UDOT executive director John Njord said the hearing is one more step in the process of getting the planned highway built. If the judge lifts the injunction, UDOT will have permission to build the road.

The department anticipates a groundbreaking in March.

"We think this is something that will enable us to take that next step," Njord said. "We've always hoped to get to this point."

Earlier this month, UDOT received two federal approvals needed to begin construction. Last November, the state signed a settlement agreement with plaintiffs in the suit — which put a halt to the construction — that forbids those plaintiffs from filing another lawsuit to stop the road.

The settlement contains several provisions about the design and look of the road. UDOT engineers and consultants have been working since November to change design plans and prepare for possible construction of the road.

For more information about the Legacy Parkway, log on to: www.udot.utah.gov.