Utah Crossing 'supporters' are removed from Web site

PROVO — Developers proposing to build a bridge across Utah Lake appear to have lost some support, judging by recent revisions to their Web site.

Though some say Utah Crossing Inc. may not have had that support to begin with.

The company's Web site, utahcrossing.com, was taken offline in November. It went live again earlier this month, and seven of the 24 individuals and agencies previously identified as supporters are no longer listed.

Leon Harward, Utah Crossing president, said when some of the people or agencies listed as supporters became involved in the selection and approval process for project, they were removed from the site. Some asked to be taken off the list, and company officials removed other names voluntarily.

Harward said he also narrowed down the list of supporters on the site from those who had talked about possibly wanting a bridge across Utah Lake to those who support his company specifically in building it.

Some of the individuals previously listed in support of the proposed six-mile, $600 million, privately-funded bridge across Utah Lake included Dick Buehler, director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, who will make the final decision on whether the bridge is approved; and Dave Grierson, a division official who has been actively involved in the decision-making process. Both said they originally did not know they were on the list and asked that their names be removed.

"I don't know if this is the right time or the right location," Buehler said. "We are going to do a thorough analysis of all the issues and concerns and so forth before we make a final decision. I can't say that I support it, and I can't say that I don't support it at this time."

The Utah Department of Transportation also was formerly identified as a supporting agency, but officials asked to be taken off that list.

The only agencies still listed as supporters on the Web site are the Utah Taxpayers Association and the Utah Valley Home Builders Association. Officials from both groups said they support Utah Crossing.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, and Rep. Ken Sumsion, R-American Fork, are listed as political supporters of the project and said they are behind the project wholeheartedly.

"It's privatization," Stephenson said, "and, man, to get the private sector to use their capital to solve a transportation need is the best of all worlds."