Editor,
I am very dismayed at how a group of lobbyists (farm activists) can sway such a study, to have the UDOT's evaluation board bow to changes, with an apparent suspect of analysis, for the inclusion of the Bluff road segment, surrounding 1700 South to 2700 South in Syracuse.
If you are evaluating quality conditions, how about the UDOT board take a closer look to the impact of air quality, both present and in the future?
This segment of the corridor that impacts the Bluff road and the areas surrounding Antelope drive, and southward towards 2700 South, just happens to be the most heavily populated segment of the entirety of the Legacy project, from I-215, northward. Nowhere, does the Legacy highway, squeeze through such as densely populated area.
How do you, the evaluators, factor in the air pollution and the air quality impact of a 1000 plus individuals, that the bluff inclusion will effect?
And where are the far sighted evaluations that reflect, when the western housing build out funnels an exponentially increasing numbers of vehicles through this population area?
As it is at this time, I am firm in my belief that the Bluff inclusion has been bought and paid for by special interests that, do not, represent the greatest good, for the greatest number of residents.
If the farm lobbyist were in total unison, then, where is the outrage at the loss of 250 acres of prime farm land that was sold off for a future industrial park in Syracuse?
For over 25 years, have I seen that area in active cultivation, where is the farmer remorse here?
And, yes, there is the fact, that privately owned farm land can, indeed, be sold.
To my knowledge there was no outrage from the lobbyists, mainly, and succinctly because, the impact was not so much in the loss of farm land, but, because, it was not in their immediate neighborhoods.
I welcome anyone, UDOT, the Syracuse representatives, and the local population, to look at the presented maps at the UDOT site, www.udot.utah.gov/westdavis, and see for themselves the impact to the population in air quality and quality of life, and the impact to the farm land at present, and decide for yourselves, to whom the greatest impact will be against.
It is a fact that we need the corridor, however, the western alternative, would provide a better route, with vision, for the future consideration of the air quality for the people of this area.
The western alternative would also provide a more direct means for the effected farms to transport their daily and seasonal produce to market.
Keep in mind, that the quality of life of hundreds of people will be impacted by the Bluff road decision, many with small children that will have the fresh drift of car fumes and pollution in their future.
Now, there is a legacy.
Ken Green
Syracuse
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