WOODS CROSS — Maybe by next year, bathrooms will be part of the amenities offered on the Legacy Parkway Scenic Byway.

That’s the hope of Byway committee members, who Tuesday afternoon were putting finishing touches on a grant application that could provide funding to make that happen.

Woods Cross City Administrator Gary Uresk, who chairs the committee, said about $384,000 will be sought for construction of four restrooms.

Current plans are to build the restrooms on strategic trail access points including Center Street in North Salt Lake, the trailhead/visitor information area on 5th South in Woods Cross, 1200 North in West Bountiful and 1275 North in Centerville.

A lot of the cost is to pay for bringing sewer and water to the sites, with the 5th South site particularly expensive because of the distance lines must be brought, Uresk said.

Uresk addressed the state Scenic Byway Committee, which has no Davis County representation, last week.

“I think we’ve got an opportunity to get some funding,” he said. “I don’t know that we’ll get all that we’re asking for.”

Projects will be prioritized by the state panel, he said. There are 26 scenic byways around the state, but well under half have applied.

While restrooms may not sound like a very exciting use of funds, Uresk said it’s definitely a valid need.

“We’re finding that is one of the biggest complaints we’re getting from those using the (trailway) system,” he said. “There are no restrooms.

“If we want to get people out on the trails, off of the parkway, to experience the area, we need restrooms so they can spend a little time there,” Uresk said.

On a legislative issue that could impact Legacy Parkway, meanwhile, HB272 had been placed back in the Senate Rules committee, as of late Tuesday afternoon.

That bill would exempt the 14-mile parkway and highway from being “segmented.” That is, potentially being broken into some sections where billboards could be allowed.

Parkway advocates have fought hard to keep the new stretch of road and byway an area for billboards, saying it would detract from the area.

Backers of a bill allowing billboards had said it could hurt business by not allowing the advertising. The Davis Chamber of Commerce, while pro-business, came out against allowing billboards, at least on that stretch of roadway.

Byway board member Neka Roundy said “at least we shouldn’t have to worry about billboards,” sounding optimistic the bill wouldn't see action in the waning legislative session, which ends tonight, Thursday, March 12.

“Billboards seem to come back every year,” she said as far as a legislative issue pushed by a strong billboard lobby.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com