Legacy Parkway one-third complete
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Thursday, June 14, 2007 | 
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Shane Farver
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
sfarver@standard.net
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By Shane Farver
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
sfarver@standard.net
Governor examines progresson long-awaited Davis highway
FARMINGTON -- Gov. Jon Huntsman surveyed the progress of the Legacy Parkway on Wednesday during a tour of the much-anticipated road project.
"This represents an opportunity for all of us, and by all of us I mean the whole state, to get an update on this magnificent project that stalled a couple of years ago," he said.
Huntsman toured the north and south interchanges of the project, as well as interchanges at Parrish Lane and 500 South. He took the tour in his own vehicle and listened to Utah Department of Transportation officials describe different aspects of the construction along the way.
"We're really excited that he would take time out of his busy schedule to see the progress on this project," Bryan Adams, design manager for the Legacy Parkway, said.
The $685 million parkway project is currently about one-third complete.
"We are ahead of schedule and actually within budget," said Ken Connaughton, communications director for UDOT.
Segment one of the road -- 500 South in Bountiful to Interstate 215 -- is 36 percent complete. Segment two -- 500 South in Bountiful to Glover's Lane in Farmington -- is 35 percent complete. Segment three -- Glover's Lane to Park Lane in Farmington -- is 22 percent complete.
The parkway will take 30 percent of the traffic off of I-15, Connaughton said. It is expected to be finished by fall 2008.
The top speed on the parkway will be 55 mph. Trucks with 18 wheels or more will not be allowed on the parkway.
The project will also feature biking trails, hiking trails and a nature preserve among its amenities.
"As opposed to just a drive, it will be an experience," Huntsman said.
The opening of the parkway, in conjunction with commuter rail, will change the way Utahns commute, the governor said.
"It will totally transform mobility in the state," he said.
The Legacy Parkway had its share of difficulty getting started.
In 2001, the Sierra Club and Utahns for Better Transportation successfully sued to stop work on Legacy Parkway until their environmental concerns were addressed. Construction began again last year after the state settled the lawsuit.
"But for a coalition of the willing, this thing would still be stuck in court battling this thing out," Huntsman said. "Instead we have not just a highway, we have a parkway, which will now be called Legacy Parkway."
Connaughton believes the end result of Legacy Parkway will be a very positive one.
"We're very happy that we've been able to reach a solution that has pleased all parties, and it's going to be a great project when it's complete," he said.
"It will be something the community can be extremely proud of."
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