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Utah lawmakers should approve the Legacy Parkway deal when they meet next week in special session.
It’s time, in fact, its way past time to get Legacy built.
The agreement finalized Monday night and signed by a coalition of conservation groups and the Utah Department of Transportation isn’t perfect. Any lawmaker so inclined could easily find a provision or two to oppose, and therefore vote to scuttle the whole thing. But that wouldn’t be in the best interests of the people of Utah.
For one thing, additional delays in the project would likely cost taxpayers millions of additional dollars. Delays have already increased Legacy’s price tag by at least $234 million. Think of it. That’s the equivalent of about $10 for every person in the state.
Plenty of people can be blamed for Legacy’s woes, with most fingers pointing squarely at the project’s vocal opponents as well as elected leaders and bureaucrats. At this stage, though, that’s water under the bridge. Now is the time to accept the compromises that have been reached and move forward.
So, when lawmakers meet Wednesday, let them do what legislators do. Debate with vigor! Let the rhetoric flow! Voice concerns and get it all out! And then vote to approve the settlement agreement for Legacy.
