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FARMINGTON — Engineers have narrowed the placement options of the West Davis Corridor to two locations, leaving two neighborhoods stuck in the middle of the Utah Department of Transportation's decision.
Saturday, residents near Glovers Lane and Shepard Lane held a rally opposing the corridor's placement, and for some, the corridor altogether.
Residents of Glovers Lane cited an abundance of wildlife, wetlands, and natural environment in their area as reasons against the construction along the lane. They claimed a freeway would harm the local environment and raise health concerns for residents.
On the other hand, people along Shepard Lane pointed out that building the freeway there would impact a lot more people.
Kaysville Mayor Steve Hiatt said the Shepard option would demolish 10 homes and put 214 homes within 300 feet of the freeway. The Glovers option would mean no homes demolished, and 37 homes within 300 feet of the freeway.
"We support wildlife. We support wetlands. Quite honestly, when you compare the differences between the two, the impacts are much the same, until you come down to the human aspect," Hiatt said. "We feel like the top priority should be given to homeowners."
Though some Glovers residents dispute the city's numbers, both sides agree it's unfortunate this freeway is pitting two neighborhoods against each other.
"We don't want to say anything against the other road for the Glovers area, because my heart goes out to them as well," said Wendy Snell, whose home along Shepard would be demolished if UDOT built the corridor there. "I totally understand where they're coming from. But my home is going to be taken."
"I think they ought to just can the whole idea and stop it. I don't want to fight with those other neighbors at all," said Farmington resident Carol Werner.
Others ask that UDOT not build the corridor entirely to preserve the area.
"I'm saying don't put it anywhere," said Brock Williamson. He lives two blocks away from both options. "We came out here from living in Philadelphia because of these things, and we're saying why can't we preserve this small community that we originally came to move into?"
Some cited environmental concerns as well.
"They're asking us to drive less, and then they're building more roads," said environmental organizer Carl Ingwell.
But UDOT says a road has to be built.
A UDOT spokesperson stressed that no decision has been made. Environmental reports are scheduled to be in this spring, and the final decision could be a year away.
