Council presses legislators for help funding I-15/FrontRunner flyover, seat on Utah Lake Authority
December 13, 2022, 6:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
American Fork leaders met with Sen. Mike Kennedy and Rep. Kay Christofferson ahead of the 2023 legislative session to ask for a seat on the new Utah Lake Authority board and state help paying for a long-discussed flyover linking the Meadows area to 1020 West across the FrontRunner tracks. The city's lobbyist, Craig Peterson, estimated $5 million to $6 million just to design the flyover and protect right-of-way. Staff also complained that the state rejected the city's moderate-income housing plan over wording.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Utah Lake Authority representation | Discussed |
| FrontRunner station connectivity and flyover | Discussed |
| Moderate-income housing plan rejection and land use bills | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1a · Other
Utah Lake Authority representation
Discussed
The mayor said American Fork is not on the Utah Lake Authority commission and wants language adding the city; Sen. Kennedy agreed the city had a valid reason to be on the board, and consultant Craig Peterson was asked to watch for an amendment in the coming session.
Item 1b · Roads and utilities
FrontRunner station connectivity and flyover
Discussed
Leaders said a flyover from the Meadows to 1020 West is key to connecting the fast-growing area west of I-15 and the planned TOD (about 25,000 future residents) to the rest of the city. UDOT has treated it as a local road; a 2015 UDOT/UTA/Union Pacific/city study stalled. The city noted the state chose the station site and that the 200 South rail crossing can only be two lanes. Peterson estimated $5 million-$6 million for design and right-of-way protection and 18-24 months of technical work with MAG. Leaders also urged right-of-way be preserved for the Pony Express east-west corridor to Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain.
- Budget$6.00 million
- Design/ROW estimate: $5M-$6M (consultant Craig Peterson)
Item 1c · General plan
Moderate-income housing plan rejection and land use bills
Discussed
City Administrator David Bunker said the state rejected the city's moderate-income housing plan for not using exact statutory language, as happened to about 70% of plans statewide. Councilmember Carroll asked legislators to seek city input on land use bills; Sen. Kennedy agreed.