BOUNTIFUL — In these tough economic times, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker feels it’s important that we stick together.

During a recent presentation to the Bountiful Rotary, Becker emphasized the need for a continued partnership between Davis County and Salt Lake City, addressed some of the negative feelings that had developed while former mayor Rocky Anderson held office, as well as highlighting some of the current and future projects that the two areas have been working on.

“We’re linked in terms of highways, but we’re also linked in terms of our future,” said Becker. “We’re no longer in a world that what we do as a city or county is isolated from everyone else. If we work together regionally and capitalize on our assets, we’ll be much more effective and able to achieve our goals.”

He highlighted the positive working relationship he has enjoyed with several Davis County representatives, including newly re-elected Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson, Rep. Sheryl Allen (R-19), and Rep. Becky Edwards (R-20), whose district includes both North Salt Lake and part of Salt Lake City.

“It’s a real pleasure to work with every one of them,” said Becker. “It makes a huge difference for all of us to be able to work together.”

He compared this to the relationship the two areas had under Anderson, emphasizing that he was glad things had improved.

“Some of the animosity that had developed was not only unfortunate, but counterproductive,” said Becker. “We have so many things to work on together.”

The most widespread of these joint efforts is the streetcar project, which as currently conceived would connect Salt Lake and Davis County. U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop and Sen. Bob Bennett recently appropriated $150,000 so that the project can move ahead to the next phase, which would take a closer look at specific routes.

As part of this, Salt Lake is planning to rebuild the bridge over the viaduct on North Temple. Officials are also intending to move the bridge one block further west, since 400 West (the road that the bridge is currently going over) is currently seen as the most likely route for the streetcar.

Another project is the Legacy Parkway Trail, which at the moment stops at 1-215. Both Davis County and Salt Lake plan to extend the trail farther south to connect into the Salt Lake trail system, a project that should be started sometime next year.

For the Davis County part of the project, which should start a little while later, Salt Lake helped the county get grant money for funding.

Though not being done directly in partnership with Davis County, Salt Lake City is also working on projects that will impact county residents. The city is currently working on a light rail line to the Salt Lake International Airport, as well as a remodeled North Temple that will include space for cars, light rail, bikes and pedestrians.

jwardell@davisclipper.com