A group of recreationists want Gov. Mike Leavitt to weigh in on their effort to stop reconstruction of U.S. 189 in Provo Canyon.
"It would make sense for him to say no to this," said Jeffrey Appel, a Salt Lake attorney representing the Provo River Coalition.Leavitt, who made a recent visit to the canyon, isn't ready to intervene. He still has some questions about the coalition's lawsuit against UDOT and project costs.
"He does intend to get more information about all the implications of it," said Vicki Varela, governor's office spokeswoman.
Recreationists plan to ask a federal judge to order the Utah Department of Transportation to halt the $34 million "tunnels" section of the canyon road pending the outcome of the lawsuit.
San Francisco-based Obayashi Construction started clearing ground this week to widen a 2.7-mile stretch from Upper Falls to Wildwood. The work prompted the coalition to seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
Steve Schmidt, of Western Rivers Flyfisher, one of several groups and individuals suing UDOT, said he hoped the federal complaint filed earlier this month would have opened talks with transportation officials.
"I guess their answer to that was to put a couple of bulldozers in the canyon and start Phase 2," he said. "That really leaves us no choice but to file for a restraining order."
Appel said the request would be made "shortly." Appel represents the Stonefly Society of the Wasatch; High County Fishers; the Utah Rivers Conservation Council and five Salt Lake and Utah county residents.
Their lawsuit alleges UDOT failed to adequately review the project's impacts on the Provo River, air quality and people.
"We think we have done things right and we're continuing to do things right," said Alan Mecham, UDOT Region 3 director in Orem. The Provo Canyon project has been the subject of years of study, planning and public meetings.
Although UDOT anticipates a temporary restraining order, construction crews are moving at full speed. "We are not putting any restrictions at all on the contractor," he said.
Mecham hopes to avoid prolonged litigation because delays could add to the cost of an already expensive highway project.
"If we stop (Obayashi) someone will be expected to make up that money to him," he said. "We hate to see that happen. It just ends up costing more money."
Recreationists say that building a four-lane highway through the scenic canyon is no longer a high priority. They say the state has many more pressing transportation needs. Orem and Utah County officials have concurred.
"It's an awful lot of money to spend on 21/2 miles for road," Schmidt said. Counting engineering and environmental studies, the project's total cost pushes $46 million.
Opponents also question whether UDOT will ever have money to complete the four-phase project from Provo/Orem to Heber City. Several environmental groups fear a temporary haul road forged to remove tunnel debris will mar the scenic canyon for years as UDOT tries to scrape together funds.