Legislature approves more bonding for transportation projects

The Utah Legislature passed a measure that will allow local governments to seek state bonding of about $40 million for local transportation projects, and allows for about $30 million in bonding that was authorized last year but not spent.

The bill, HB185, was sponsored by Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, and is different from another bill, SB239, that will allow the Utah Department of Transportation to bond to fund about $2 billion for I-15 reconstruction in Utah County, Mountain View Corridor and the Southern Parkway in St. George.

The version of HB185 that ultimately passed was the result of negotiations between the House and Senate. Senate members wanted the bill to include some projects in Sandy and Salt Lake City, but when House members received amendments to the original bill, they rejected it, fearing that the state will bond for too much money. In times of economic stress, they said they'd like to keep options of future bonding open if there are budget shortfalls next year.

The negotiated proposal will increase the state to 82.4 percent of its bonding capacity. State guidelines require legislators keep bonding under 85 percent of the state's bonding capacity.

Among the projects:

$2 million to West Valley City for 7200 West.

$4 million to West Jordan for 7800 South and Airport Road intersection.

$4.5 million to Sandy for widening and improvement of 1300 East between 9000 South to 11400 South.

$6.5 million to Taylorsville for the 6200 South and Redwood Road intersection, highway improvements and an environmental study and preliminary engineering at 5400 South and I-215.

$15 million to Salt Lake County for improvements to Bangerter Highway.

$20 million to Salt Lake City for the viaduct on North Temple and 400 West.

E-MAIL: lhancock@desnews.com