UDOT hung tough | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Re "Green activists, neighbors blast new West Davis freeway plan" (Tribune, May 17):

Concerning the northwestern extension of Legacy Parkway, the Utah Department of Transportation listened to the public outcry that supported starting the freeway at Glover Lane instead of farther north at Shepard Lane.

UDOT's legal position is solid because it presented plans and listened to public comment. UDOT's plan balances the interests of existing homes and neighborhoods and environmental groups.

Wetlands will be properly addressed. Impact to existing wetlands will be mitigated; impact to people cannot be mitigated in the same way.

Critically, the decision ensures that nearly 220 homes within 300 feet of Shepard Lane do not lose their quality of life and property value, which would have occurred had UDOT caved to pressure from well-funded, influential environmental groups and merchants.

Understandably, influential merchants do not want a second freeway through Davis County. They want cars passing their shops, creating a bottleneck at Interstate 15 and Shepard Lane. This decision allows for an alternate route for emergencies and the daily commute, and it allows for inevitable growth.

Davis County residents should thank UDOT for not succumbing and creating the bottleneck advocated by the influential few.

Mike Woolley

Kaysville