Feds approve Mountain View freeway plan
Final approval » Utah still needs money for west-side route
By Brandon Loomis
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Article Launched:11/18/2008 12:32:15 PM MST
The Federal Highway Administration has approved Utah's plan for a Mountain View freeway through the western Salt Lake Valley and northern Utah County, the Utah Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.
The federal agency signed off on the state's environmental study and road plan, which won wide praise from environmentalists and health advocates for its inclusion of a parallel transit system and air-pollution filtration at nearby schools. If or when the Utah Legislature funds the $3 billion project, an eight-lane freeway will run along 5800 West from Interstate 80 in Salt Lake City to 2100 North in Lehi and a link from there to Interstate 15. The plan includes a bus rapid-transit system running on its own lanes down the middle of 5600 West.
"Five years of collaboration has resulted in a balanced solution of roadway, transit and trails that fits within the framework of the communities," UDOT project manager Teri Newell said in a written statement.
