Legacy proponents, foes resume battle

With hours remaining to comment on plans for the Legacy Parkway, state officials and foes of the roadway held dueling media events Monday to voice their opinions.

The Utah Department of Transportation presented first, armed with a note from the nation's top environmental agency. The letter outlined few concerns and issued the project a grade: B plus.

Considering past opinions from the Environmental Protection Agency, the grade validates the need for Legacy, said UDOT executive director John Njord.

"To the average Joe, this project is essentially the same," he said. "But they take this with a fine-tooth comb. They recognize there are substantial improvements."

In January 2001, the agency reprimanded UDOT for failing to address several environmental concerns. While plans were ultimately approved, those concerns made their way into federal lawsuits against Legacy.

In November 2001, one suit proved successful. Construction was halted, and UDOT was asked to study the road further.

Monday marked the end of a comment period on that supplemental study. It was a milestone Njord says should end opposition to the road.

"Going to court solves nothing," he said. "It's time to move on.

The folks who have opposed this project, which are a small minority, have had their day."

Foes of the Legacy Parkway say opposition will end when the state gives full consideration to a proposed alternative to the 14-mile roadway. Future lawsuits are always an option.

During a news conference Monday, the Sierra Club, Utahns for Better Transportation and other opponents listed three reasons why the Citizens' Smart Growth Alternative would be effective:

First, the plan provides an alternative to I-15 with extension of Redwood Road and a focus on transit, including light rail and bus rapid transit.

Second, it addresses rush-hour-traffic problems with the use of reversible lanes on I-15. Third, traffic models provided by UDOT show it "reduces congestion in the region better than Legacy."

In December, opponents received copies of computerized models used to determine future growth and roadway congestion. The models were used to select Legacy as a remedy to growing traffic in Davis County.

Opponents say the models validate their alternative.

"Over the past several months, with the help of UDOT and its consultants, the travel models we've run on our alternative show the following results: The Citizens' Smart Growth Alternative meets the travel needs in the corridor fully," said Bob Adler, an environmental law professor at the University of Utah.

Those results also make the EPA letter difficult to use in any future court battles, he added.