DAVIS COUNTY – After seven years of negotiating, discussing and studying, UDOT is finally given the green light to star designing the West Davis Corridor. Their environmental impact study was given official approval.
Susan Anderson has lived on 1700 South in Syracuse for 15 years. Her husband has lived in that house since 1976. However, her home is on the list of houses that will be removed to make way for the new corridor.
Despite all the memories she has gained in that house, she’s personally glad to be moving away from such a busy street. She says, “We’ve had seven years, or so, to deal with it. There was a period of time where we didn’t think it would happen in our lifetimes. We’re not exactly spring chickens.”
Anderson says when she was younger, Syracuse was a “sleepy little village” compared to what it is now. She believes a new road is desperately needed to handle the growth. “Every night, when you listen to the radio or the television, traffic is backed up.”
Officials with UDOT looked over 51 different alternatives before choosing an initial plan for the 19-mile road between Farmington and Farr West. Project Manager Randy Jeffries says, “This alternative had a good benefit to mobility in the area with the least impact to the environment and the communities,” he says.
According to the initial estimates, up to 34 homes may have to be removed. Residents would have to be gone by the end of 2019, so construction could start in 2020. Jeffries says, “The first section which is [from Farmington] to Syracuse will be done by 2022.”
