Lehi goes down new road

LEHI — It's no secret that Lehi officials don't want a freeway connection to the Mountain View Corridor running through their city at 2100 North.

But recently, the city has taken its fight against the road to a new level by way of a 2 1/2-inch research document that favors an alternate connection to the Mountain View Corridor near 4800 North, an area currently without an east-west corridor. The document, which cost Lehi some $25,000 to create, was delivered to Utah's Department of Transportation on Aug. 30 with high hopes and a growing frustration.

"We've submitted that proposal to UDOT, and we've received assurances that they will give our proposal serious consideration," Lehi city administrator Jamie Davidson said. "We appreciate the fact that they will give what we are suggesting is a viable solution a good, strong look."

Lehi's leaders haven't always enjoyed their interactions with UDOT, especially since the department identified 2100 North as its preferred option for the Mountain View Corridor, which is planned to run south from I-80 in Salt Lake County, then east in Utah County. Communication between Lehi and UDOT has been heated and strained at times, and Davidson says the city is "concerned" that the local community has had to put local resources toward studying a federal road.

Other Lehi leaders have spoken publicly against 2100 North and sent letters of protest to UDOT and the Mountainland Association of Governments, asking them to reconsider supporting the road.

Discussion of Lehi's opposition to 2100 North has also led to miscommunication and heightened tension. Reports that the city recently encouraged the Alpine School District to build a school along the proposed 2100 North corridor in an attempt to thwart the road prompted MAG Director Darrell Cook to call the city's actions "embarrassing" at a Utah Transportation Commission meeting on Wednesday in Springville.

"The mayors of Utah County, with the exception of Lehi, are not supportive of the actions that Lehi is taking toward this thing," Cook said. "I represent them, and I feel an obligation to speak my piece."

Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson said the city's discussion with Alpine School District had nothing to do with its fight for a freeway connection at 4800 North. The school district owns property at about 2100 North and 2300 West and has plans to break ground for a school in the area in the spring.

According to Johnson, Lehi told the school district to go ahead with its plans because a school is needed in the area.