This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Possible state review and approval of a proposed toll bridge across Utah Lake is now a step closer.
The Utah Transportation Commission approved Thursday a final rule about how to judge proposals for private bridges over state lakes.
A private group, Utah Crossing, has proposed a $600 million toll bridge across Utah Lake between Saratoga Springs and Orem.
The Legislature this year passed HB137 by Rep. Ken Sumsion, R-American Fork, to give the commission oversight on such proposals to evaluate bridge design, construction and the financial feasibility of companies behind the projects.
The final decision about whether to allow a lease for a private bridge rests with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, which also oversees environmental evaluation of such projects.
Utah Crossing's Leon Harward told the Transportation Commission in May that his company "has been in a long-struggling effort to get the proper authority and agency to review this," and supports the new rule.
The final rule calls for the commission to evaluate "the financial viability of the project to ensure the project can be constructed and completed as proposed," and operated over the long term.
It also requires ensuring "that the facility is safe and meets current engineering standards for design, construction, operation and maintenance."
Randy Park, project development director for the Utah Department of Transportation, said the new rule also sets up a two-step review process. He said it includes an initial screening to ensure proposals generally meet requirements, and a more detailed evaluation for projects that pass the screening. —
Utah Lake cleanup
P Volunteers are needed 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday to remove trash and debris as part of Trash Free Seas: The International Coastal Cleanup. Meet at North Knolls at Utah Lake, east of Redwood Road. For more information or to sign up, go to signuptocleanup.org or email Volunteer@thelivingplanet.com or call Melissa Bowers at 801-355-FISH (3474) ext. 212.