WEST BOUNTIFUL -- Last Tuesday night's get together between members of the West Bountiful City Council and the Legacy Parkway team might have been characterized as a gathering of the mutual admiration society, at least to start. Each side expressed its appreciation of the other's willingness to work together to resolve issues and praised the professionalism of their staffs. "We've actually changed our plan based on the input of city staff, including Wendell Wild and Bill Flanders," said Legacy Parkway Project Director John Thomas. "The Legacy team has been great to partner with," Wild, West Bountiful's city administrator, said in return. "From our standpoint, we say thank you."

Among those aspects of the Legacy plan to have been modified within the city's stretch of the highway were, noted Thomas, portions of the storm drainage system, additional access at the Mill Creek trail crossing, faster development of trail features along the former D&RG rail right-of-way, the installation of new features at the Birnam Woods trail access and the use of berms and landscaping to lessen the highway's impact on adjacent neighborhoods.

Thomas paid particular attention to the Mill Creek trail crossing, a pedestrian underpass beneath Legacy, which will convey walkers, hikers, bikers and equestrians to the Bountiful Pond area. This is of particular importance since there will not be a crossing at Birnam Woods or anywhere else along the highway's path through West Bountiful.

"Motorists heading to Bountiful Pond, or to the landfill," said Thomas, "will be directed down 500 South, cross over Legacy and head north."

The presence of additional Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) land at the Birnam Woods Trail Access provides an opportunity to expand facilities. There is also the possibility of acquiring a parcel of private property.

"There will also be a visual screen between the Birnam Woods subdivision and the parkway," Thomas said. "The so-called 'Sheep Road' will terminate at the parkway, near the Birnam Woods trail access."

Of most immediate concern to council members, however, was the impact of parkway construction on the city. Thomas assured that all hauling routes through West Bountiful will be on state highways and the Legacy right-of-way itself.

"Contractors are beginning work on a south interchange at I-215 and Redwood Road," he said. "But this summer will see major construction with millions of cubic yards of dirt hauled in to build bridges, trails and roads.

"Construction will last about two years," said Thomas, "and despite our use of state roads, there will still be an increase in traffic. We need to create a means for people to voice any concerns they may have."

The Legacy Parkway, based on the latest projections, is scheduled to open sometime in the fall of 2008.

"What we're trying to create is a modern parkway," Thomas said, "something unique, something that hasn't been done in a lot of years, a true driving experience."



bmickelson@davisclipper.com