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DAVIS COUNTY — Residents, farmers and businesses west of I-15 in northern Davis and southern Weber counties are one step closer to quicker commutes as the Utah Department of Transportation on Tuesday introduced three alternatives for the West Davis Corridor.
The road, which would alleviate 6,840 collective hours a day wasted sitting in traffic, is an idea that has been mulled over for nearly 50 years and studied at least twice in that time. But if the new plan gets as much support outside of UDOT as it has within, Davis' west-siders could be putting their rubber to the road as early as 2013.
We all know that with growth, comes transportation needs. It gets worse if we don't do something.
–Randy Jefferies
The north-south travel options — which were pared down from an original 46 different routes — begin in Centerville, where the proposed four-lane, divided highway splits from I-15, and heads west on varying routes through Syracuse, West Point, Clinton, Hooper and West Haven until it again joins the existing freeway by way of 12th South in Ogden.
The need for the roadway was revealed months after the study began last February.
New roads, UDOT says, are necessary to keep up with projected 75 percent growth in the area by 2040. If transportation options aren't built, the recent environmental impact study points out that the more than 303,000 population will be road-blocked in 30 years.
"We all know that with growth, comes transportation needs," West Davis Corridor project manager Randy Jefferies said Tuesday. "It gets worse if we don't do something."
UDOT's goal is to improve regional mobility, helping people to more efficiently get where they need to go, as well as enhance traffic to accommodate increased demand, specifically at peak times. Other objectives include increased bicycle and pedestrian interaction, support and incorporation of local development plans and improving connections between alternative transportation modes.
However, none of the three concepts is entirely free from compromise. At least 98 residential properties and one business would need to be acquired by UDOT to build out the road, as well as more than 36 acres of wetlands, 11 archaeological sites, six trails, three public parks, 31 acres of high-quality wildlife habitat and 28 acres of 100-year floodplain.
Jefferies said he's included all kinds of interest groups in the study process so future lawsuits could be avoided and compromises could be made early in the game.
"We want to make sure it is a benefit to the people who will use it," Jefferies said.
UDOT plans to accept public comment on the three alternatives throughout the month, and at three public hearings to be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, in West Point; Wednesday, Feb. 9, in Farmington; and Thursday, Feb. 10, in West Haven. Tuesday's meeting will also be available online at www.udot.utah.gov/westdavis. Other materials regarding the project are also available online.
Following the current public comment period, UDOT will further study the options and make necessary changes based on suggestions received. By next year, the agency plans to unveil one solid concept, which will also have time for public contemplation before being finalized in 2012.
UDOT will make its final decision in 2013 and hit lawmakers up for funding options to cover the projected $500,000 for the new highway.
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com
