Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, who drafted a bill to authorize the millions in spending, said the Geneva road, which is named the Eastlake Parkway on planning maps, is needed to help take cars off I-15 in Utah County.

"Once you go through to do the reconstruction of I-15 in Utah County, the question any logical individual should ask is where the hell do you put all those cars," Killpack said. "The fact is you have to have some alternative routes unless you want sheer gridlock once that construction takes place."

Under Killpack's bill, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, the state is authorized to issue a $1 billion bond to fund road projects defined as "critical needs." Specifically, that means roads needed to relieve traffic congestion, provide an alternative to I-15 in Utah County during reconstruction, or help areas with high population growth.

The transportation commission was charged with creating and prioritizing a list of projects to receive the funding. Once approved, the commission must present the list to the Legislature's Executive Appropriation's Committee for review.

---

E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com; nwarburton@desnews.com