A bill introduced Monday could mean a billion-dollar makeover for one of Utah's deadliest highways.

But it could face a tough fight in the House where leadership has taken a strong stance against bonding — the recommended funding mechanism in the bill.

HB369 calls for $1.3 billion in general obligation bonds for reconstruction of U.S. 6 from Spanish Fork to Price. If the bill is passed, work to expand and improve the road could begin within a year, according to state transportation officials.

"Now is the time," said sponsoring Rep. James Ferrin, R-Orem. "I have not met a representative up here yet that doesn't understand that this road has to be built."

Ferrin believes he can muster enough votes to push the measure through the House. He'll have the support of lawmakers who live near U.S. 6, in addition to some Democrats who support bonding over redistribution of general fund monies to roads.

Area residents also support the measure.

"I think it's all scary, and I think it all needs to be widened." said Corrie Curtis, an East Carbon resident. "It's long overdue."

Over the past eight years, the Utah Department of Transportation has spent $115 million to improve the highway. Statistics show that fatalities on the road have decreased as a result of the improvements, but U.S. 6 is still a magnet for devastating, and often fatal, crashes.

Last year, a reported 13 fatalities occurred along the rural highway, making it the worst year on that highway since 1998. Only five fatalities were reported on the road in 2004.

"That's a lot of money . . . but it will be worth it," said Weston Erickson, a Spanish Fork resident. "There's just going to be more people and more people on it as the years go by, so it will have to be done eventually."

In early January, the Utah Department of Transportation completed a long-term study of possible improvements to U.S. 6. The study called for the road to be widened to four lanes in most areas at a cost of about $1 billion.

Under Ferrin's bill, any money that comes from the bonds would be to pay for "all or part of the costs of state highway construction or reconstruction projects" on U.S. 6. That means the money could go toward purchase of land, engineering and architectural and legal fees as well.

UDOT officials took no position for or against the bill Monday. U.S. 6 is one of many unfunded priorities in state road building, said Carlos Braceras, UDOT deputy director. The Mountain View Corridor, a proposed freeway for western Salt Lake and Utah counties is another priority.

Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley, supports bonding for U.S. 6, despite the "need" to build Mountain View to relieve congestion in his area, he said.