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Sam Penrod ReportingAt long last, construction on Utah's Legacy Highway is about to begin.
Ground was officially re-broken today for Legacy. Work actually stopped years ago because of lawsuits. The litigation was settled in November, when both sides reached a compromise. Now construction will begin again.
Government leaders held a celebration this afternoon, as work will officially resume on the Legacy Parkway. Finally, both sides made concessions to end the court fight.
The 14 mile long highway will be four lanes, from I-215 in North Salt Lake to where I-15 and Highway 89 meet in Farmington. It will provide an alternate route for traffic to and from Davis County, where gridlock can now always be found during the commute hours on I-15.
It is supposed to cut I-15 traffic by 30 percent.
As part as the settlement, there will be a 55 mile per hour speed limit, a 2200 acre nature preserve, and big trucks won't be able to use the highway.
Gov Jon Huntsman Jr: "I am going to think about the cooperation that brought everybody here together, had them check their egos at the door, and we were able to put the better interests of the state, first and foremost. And I think that's what we all need to remember about this project."
The Legacy will also feature a multiple use trail for walking and biking.
UDOT is holding an open house on the Legacy highway at the Davis County Fairgrounds, it goes until 8:00 tonight.
Overall, it will take two and a half years to build the Legacy Parkway. It is scheduled to open in October of 2008.
