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FARMINGTON — Plans for the West Davis Corridor have changed again, and the Utah Department of Transportation wants to take the path of least resistance.
While the most recent proposal is the cheapest, it's not good enough for some critics and homeowners along the proposed route.
UDOT started with dozens of routes, some of which called for entire neighborhoods to be demolished. They eventually cut the options down to two; the first option would run straight through a neighborhood and 10 houses would be demolished.
A second option would save those 10 homes, but would knock down five other homes and infringe on a few dozen properties, forcing 26 families to move, according to UDOT.
"For me, it would be the worst thing in the world because I don't want to live anywhere else," said Emma Hinds, a resident impacted by the proposed corridor. "To watch them destroy what I've watched for 53 years — I'm not happy. I'm just not happy."
We know it's an emotional issue. This is definitely something we have not treated lightly. We have very seriously considered these alternatives and made our recommendation.
–Randy Jeffries, UDOT project manager.
Hinds and her husband built their home in 1960. Eight years ago her daughter and husband rebuilt the house, and she and her family never had plans to move. Her family is one of the 26 who may have to relocate if the West Davis Corridor is built on her road.
Just down the way to Shepard Lane, neighbors are recovering from the same experience. Steve and Wendi Neil said they were afraid they would be the ones to go and were relieved to learn their home will be saved.
"We're so happy," said Wendi Neil. "We're excited, but we know what it means for the other group."
One concern the community has is the location of the proposed route in comparison to Syracuse Arts Academy, which would be surrounded by the freeway and interchange on Antelope Drive.
"I was surprised that they would plan to put a high-capacity highway within hundreds of feet of an elementary school with over 1,000 children," said Roger Borgernicht with Utahns for Better Transportation.
However, at this point a one-size-fits-all approach isn't possible. UDOT said they are trying to please everyone, but it's difficult.
"We know it's an emotional issue," said Randy Jeffries, UDOT project manager. "This is definitely something we have not treated lightly. We have very seriously considered these alternatives and made our recommendation."
Related:
Syracuse residents voice concerns over West Davis Corridor project
Environmentalists and homeowners are pleading with UDOT to ditch plans for a highway in Davis County. The West Davis Corridor project will ideally give commuters in Davis and Weber counties a more convenient drive.If approved, the West Davis Corridor will start at Glovers Lane in Farmington, then run northwest along Bluff Road in Syracuse and finish at 4100 West in Weber County. UDOT said the 20-mile-long corridor will cost $587 million but will save $60 to $90 million over the other options.
"(This route) has better transportation performance," Jeffries said. "It carries more traffic. It has a better interchange design."
In comparison to other options UDOT considered, they said this route will have a lower impact on the environment and few families would be relocated. However, it's still affecting neighbors on both sides of the road. "It breaks my heart because we didn't want to go anywhere either," said Wendy Neil.
UDOT doesn't know when families will have to move because the plan is still a proposal at this stage. A 90-day comment period has been opened to the public and there will be three hearings in June. Then they'll have to get funding for the project.
