Aug. 24, 2000
Dozens of people came out last night to voice their opinions on the proposed Legacy Highway.
People on both sides of the project took this chance to speak with the engineers of the project.
Strong feelings over transportation needs in Davis County were voiced, as were concerns over protecting the wetlands.
This was one of the last public hearings on the issue.
The hearings are necessary before the Army Corps of Engineers can grant the permits.
Aug. 22, 2000
There's a showdown Wednesday over the proposed Legacy Highway, as a half-dozen environmental groups which oppose the project face off with the government agencies which support the highway.
News Specialist Jed Boal reports on some late developments that could put the brakes on the project.
Davis County rush-hour traffic is legendary.
Legacy Highway is supposed to crack that bottleneck for frustrated commuters.
UDOT wants to get started on the 13-mile, $360-million road.
But, it needs a wetlands permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, and environmental groups oppose the route that impacts 114 acres of wetlands.
The public hearing will test the environmental impact statement used to justify Legacy Highway.
People who've speaheaded the project say the route is a good compromise.
Wilf Sommerkorn/Davis Co. Dir. of Community and Economic Development: LEGACY HIGHWAY WILL BE THE LAST HIGHWAY TO BE BUILT THERE. BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
The Sierra Club and other environmental groups now oppose the project for new reasons.
A University of California at Davis report turns the Environmental Impact Statement upside down, and says the numbers that show the need for the highway are wrong.
Bob Adler/ U. of U. Environmental Law Professor: THE VERY FOUNDATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT IS CRACKED.
Jed Boal/Eyewitness News: COMMON SENSE TELLS US IF WE BUILD A NEW HIGHWAY AND ADD LANES THE TRAFFIC WILL IMPROVE. THE U.C. DAVIS STUDY SAYS THE OPPOSITE WILL HAPPEN. IT SAYS THE LEGACY HIGHWAY WILL ACTUALLY SLOW THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC TO THE SOUTH.
The theory is that more highway space will encourage more people to drive, eventually clogging all the roads.
Bob Adler/ U. of U. Environmental Law Professor: SURELY THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER ANSWER TO OUR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS THAN GENERATING MORE TRAFFIC RATHER THAN LESS.
Wilf Sommerkorn/Davis Co. Dir. of Community and Economic Development: WE'RE PRETTY CONFIDENT ABOUT OUR NUMBERS. THEY'VE BEEN REVIEWED BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY COMMISSION.
The Army Corps of Engineers has said it is keeping an open mind and will review documents and arguments from both sides before making a decision.
