Online public response 2-to-1 against Utah Lake bridge

PROVO — As the time for public comment on the proposed bridge over Utah Lake nears its end, more people are voicing concerns about the bridge than are supporting it.

During public hearings in Provo in October and in Saratoga Springs earlier this month, the comments for and against were split about half and half, said Dave Grierson of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. But comments online are about 2-to-1 against the proposed bridge.

Grierson said the results haven't been too surprising. Those who are against construction of the bridge tend to be more passionate than those who support it, he said. But the number of comments for or against bridge doesn't matter as much as what respondents say.

"It's not a popularity contest," Grierson said.

Even though no environmental-impact study is required on the proposed bridge because the lake bed is state-owned, multiple agencies are looking into possible effects of building the bridge, he said.

Forestry, Fire and State Lands will take as long as it needs to decide whether the bridge will be approved, Grierson said, adding that a decision is likely a year away.

Reed Price, executive director of the Utah Lake Commission, said the commission hasn't taken a position on the proposed bridge and that it probably will be at least another six months before it does.

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is accepting public comment through Nov. 30 online at forestry.utah.gov/sovlands/utahlake/bridgecrossing.php.

e-mail: slenz@desnews.com