While most of the state is focused on the enormous improvements to I-15 in Salt Lake County, some city officials in Davis County are wondering about the wisdom in previously announced plans for future freeway expansion in the northern county.
Layton Mayor Jerry Stevenson said the planned future expansion of I-15 in Davis County to only 200 North in Kaysville is very short-sighted."It doesn't make a lot of sense at this time," he told the City Council.
Stevenson said ending I-15 expansion at Kaysville will give drivers few options of where else to go. He believes ending the expansion at Layton's Hill Field Road exit (No. 334) is a lot wiser.
That's where the Layton Hills Mall, access to Hill Air Force Base and the future Davis County satellite site of Weber State University will be.
On some weekends now, because of "restaurant row" and 26 total movie screens north of the Layton Hills Mall, cars exiting I-15 there back up dangerously, almost to the freeway's travel lanes.
Stevenson said he's going to ask the Utah Legislature to get some support for lengthening the I-15 expansion through Layton. He's also heard some talk of the I-15 expansion in Davis County being cut back to Farmington.
Layton councilman Stuart Adams, who represents the city on area transportation committees, agrees that freeway expansion needs to reach Layton.
"I really struggle with some of the vision that exists," he said.
Adams suggests that lengthening the freeway expansion to Antelope Drive, the next exit North of the busy 334 exit, would be even more wise. That exit provides access to the Freeport Center, Davis Hospital and Medical Center and offers a direct route west to Antelope Island and western Davis County communities.
Several months ago, the Kaysville City Council also expressed concern over the Davis County freeway expansion ending at their 200 North. They also felt the Layton Hills Mall exit was a smarter choice.