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SALT LAKE CITY — Legislators have approved a bill for up to $1 billion in bonding for transportation projects, as well as about $240 million in bonds for capital improvement projects.
SB277 and SB9 both cleared the Utah House on Tuesday and were forwarded to Gov. Gary Herbert for his consideration.
If signed by the governor, SB277 would allow the Utah Transportation Commission to fund high-priority projects along I-15 in Salt Lake, Davis and Utah counties.
SB9 would authorize bonding for seven major projects throughout the state — including two new liquor stores in Salt Lake and Davis counties, a new medical school at the University of Utah, and building expansions at Dixie State University.
$1 billion for roads
House Majority Whip Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton, the sponsor of SB277, said the aim of the bill is to speed up transportation projects over the next four years to reduce congestion along Utah's major highways.
While the bill provides a general list of priorities to fund, it will be up to the Utah Transportation Commission to choose which projects to launch.
The commission is tasked with choosing projects that have a "significant economic development impact associated with recreation and tourism," and address "congestion mitigation," according to the bill.
Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation, said in a committee Monday that projects along I-15 are high priorities.
Those include improvements from the Lehi Main Street exit to state Route 92, near Thanksgiving Point; from Layton's Hill Field Road exit to I-84; and an extra southbound lane from the I-80 interchange to about 10600 South.
Braceras said a bonding proposal would be presented to lawmakers this summer, with construction starting in spring 2018.
"I feel like we have such a problem developing on our freeways," said Rep. Kay Christofferson, R-Lehi. "It's only going to get worse. … I think bonding now and accelerating the construction will solve a lot of problems we're having."
But Rep. Joel Briscoe voted against the bill, concerned that it doesn't require any mass transit projects.
"I'm tired of mass transit being the other add-on thing we do after we build roads," the Salt Lake City Democrat said in an interview after the vote.
Briscoe also took issue with a provision that would restrict the transportation commission from issuing bonds if it would result in outstanding debt exceeding 50 percent of the state's debt limit.
"I'm concerned that could limit our ability in the future to use bonding if we felt it was necessary," he said, noting that the revenue could be used as a "stimulus" if the economy hits a rough patch. "What if we have a big recession again?"
Liquor stores, university projects
If SB9 is approved by the governor, two bonds for $5.4 million would be authorized for the construction of two new state liquor stores — one in Farmington and one somewhere in southwest Salt Lake County, according to the bill.
In a committee meeting last month, representatives of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control told lawmakers the Riverton and Layton markets have the highest demand for stores.
The bill would also authorize the Utah Board of Regents to issue bonds for several projects:
• $190 million for constructing the University of Utah's Medical Education & Discovery/Rehabilitation Hospital.
• $16 million for constructing the Human Performance Center at Dixie State University.
• $9.5 million for the Industrial Building for the Dixie Applied Technology College.
• $8.2 million for expansion of the University Guest House at the University of Utah.
• $4.7 million for expansion of the Legend Solar Stadium at Dixie State University.
State funding for new facilities for the University of Utah's School of Medicine was among the Utah Board of Regents' legislative priorities. Email: kmckellar@deseretnews.com Twitter: KatieMcKellar1
