Utah Lake bridge decision could come this year

PROVO — The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands hopes to make a decision about the proposed bridge over Utah Lake by the end of this year.

Division director Dick Buehler ultimately will make the final decision about whether Utah Crossing Inc. is allowed to build the seven-mile, $600 million, privately funded bridge across the lake.

Buehler said he will decide within the next week whether to advertise for competing leases, which would allow other entities to come forward with similar plans for a bridge or other plans for the land. If that happens, Utah Crossing and competitors would have 30 days to submit an application.

Dave Grierson, also with the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, said there hasn't been any recent discussion of another bridge proposal over the lake. If Buehler decides not to open the process for competing bids, Utah Crossing is expected to turn in its application within the next few weeks, Grierson said.

The application requires more in-depth information on financing and the project as a whole than the nomination, which Utah Crossing already has submitted, he said.

Forestry, Fire and State Lands also is creating an interdisciplinary team of experts from various fields, including transportation, finance, the environment and natural resources. The team will look at concerns brought up during the public comment period and do a thorough analysis on possible impacts of building a bridge over the lake.

Grierson said he received more than 200 comments about the bridge, 80 percent of which were against it. Some of the most prevalent concerns are that a bridge could bring unbridled development or more pollution, he said. Many others said a bridge is not necessary right now.

Grierson said many of the comments were emotional, and state officials aren't sure how to deal with those yet.

Buehler said the division is planning to put together the analysis in a document by the fall and make a decision by December. That timetable is contingent upon how long the analysis takes, he said.

Buehler said Forestry, Fire and State Lands officials will be thorough in discussing whether it's the right project for Utah Lake and the right time for it, as well as whether it meets the public trust.

e-mail: slenz@desnews.com