The Legacy Parkway has cleared another hurdle: The Federal Highway Administration has granted its approval of the proposed 14-mile highway that would provide an alternate route between Salt Lake City and Farmington.
The project now requires an OK from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before design and construction can begin. We hope this approval will be forthcoming so that construction of the much-needed road project can begin this summer.
The Legacy Parkway is an important component to dealing with the profound population growth projected along the Wasatch Front over the next 50 years. Utah must do more to develop public transportation — including commuter rail — along that corridor to better move people to and from Salt Lake County. But there also must be a recognition that a certain segment of the public will not be pried out of their cars. That will require more vehicle capacity on the roads, with the expectation that those motorists will commit to traveling smarter by carpooling, working staggered shifts and telecommuting, when possible.
While Utah Department of Transportation officials are "cautiously optimistic" that the Army Corps of Engineers will grant a wetlands permit, opponents say that approval will come only if the Environmental Protection Agency removes its current objections to the parkway.
The EPA ought to take into consideration the many amendments state officials have made in their original concepts to address environmental issues. Not only would the Legacy Parkway provide an alternative to I-15, it would provide a parallel trail for pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians. Beyond that, it would provide a 2,100-acre "buffer" to protect the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
Credit UDOT officials for taking opponents' concerns seriously and attempting to address them in the plans for the four-lane highway. UDOT officials themselves have told us they believe this is a much better project because of the refinements made along the process.
Of course, the staunchest opponents of the Legacy Parkway would prefer that the road never be built. They claim it would lead only to more sprawl. Trends, however, suggest growth will occur whether or not the state develops roadways to accommodate it. In the area to be served by the highway, tremendous growth already has occurred, putting enormous strain on I-15.
Alternatives such as the Legacy Parkway and improved mass transit would enable Utah to better cope with its burgeoning population and at the same time address delicate environmental issues.