"I think (UDOT) has done a superb job at looking carefully at all of the impacts, taking into account the various impacts on the various cities and the counties and the people and the environment," transportation commissioner Kent Millington said. "I commend this study, and I think they've done a very excellent job and I appreciate the work that's been done."

While UDOT has declared its preference for a connection at 2100 North, UDOT will continue to study any options for the road, Newell said.

From this point, UDOT will publish in October a final draft of its environmental study, then gather public input on the project at public hearings.

After the public hearings, UDOT will make an official record of its decision and submit its proposal to the Federal Highway Administration for final approval.

The Federal Highway Administration may oppose UDOT's proposal, but according to Butch Waidelich, Utah division administrator for the highway administration, the federal decision rarely contradicts the state's preference.

"The decision at the federal level is usually made after the public hearing," Waidelich said. "Rarely does that decision change from what the (state) department would select prior to that."

Lehi city administrator Jamie Davidson said the city will continue to try to influence UDOT's decision until the Federal Highway Administration makes the final say.

"We would very much appreciate an opportunity for UDOT to put some legitimate time and effort into looking at other options other than the three they've suggested," Davidson said.

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