WOODS CROSS -- "One thing we learned through the Legacy battle is that we do have a jewel here in the Great Salt Lake, and we need to treat it wisely." For Woods Cross city administrator Gary Uresk that means enhancing the experience for people driving the Legacy Parkway. Uresk heads a committee studying the Legacy Parkway-Scenic Byway Corridor, a committee made up of city and county officials in South Davis County looking at how to showcase the Great Salt Lake and the surrounding environment.

The cities and county have approved a study being conducted by MGB+A planning consultants, to "take a close look at how to complement the west side," Uresk said.

"Our goal is to preserve the vistas of the wetlands and Antelope Island."

Uresk said the Utah Department of Transportation and the state tourism office also contributed to funding the study.

"It has broad support," Uresk said.

South Davis officials felt the need to take a proactive approach to planning and managing what takes place on the parkway.

"Our choice was either to wait until the highway was built, or do it before.

"If we waited until the highway was built it would be like waiting until the horse was out of the corral to tame it."

Byways are a common road system in the eastern United States, but are virtually nonexistent in the west. "I think the Legacy is interesting because it will be a prototype for byways in Utah," Uresk said.

While the study will not offer recommendations on such aspects of the road as the highway's design, it may offer recommendations standardizing signage along the road, or managing trails or other aspects of the Nature Preserve.

Uresk points out that the Legacy will offer motorists the most clear view of the Great Salt Lake from any road.

"Traveling down I-15, you get glimpses of it, but no real good view of it. We want to produce areas where people can pull off and learn more about what they're driving through."

He notes that with the Legacy Parkway located where it is, it will provide east access to viewing the lake to a large population base.

Initially there was to be no access for people to get to the west side of the road, but recently some trails have been designed on the west side of the road.

The study could be completed as early as December. Once done, it will be taken to the cities for review.

The parkway is expected to be completed in 2008. Uresk said once it has been reviewed, officials will have more than a year to implement it.



mwilliams@davisclipper.com