Several local leaders turned lobbyists last week when they went to Washington, D.C., to talk up Utah's needs with the state's congressional delegation.

All were cautiously optimistic -- although Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson admitted he is more cautious while Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn came back optimistic.

Washburn, along with several Orem officials, Ellertson and Commissioner Steve White, Provo spokeswoman Raylene Ireland and Provo Municipal Councilwoman Cindy Richards were part of a big group that met with U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, to discuss transportation issues in Utah County. Washburn said they were asking for about $6 million, half of which would be used to build a bridge on Geneva Road in Provo and the other half to do environmental work on some projects in the north end of the county.

"We were not asking for a lot this year," he said, adding his main concern was ensuring residents had alternative access roads when Interstate 15 goes through a major reconstruction. This year's wish list is much smaller than last year's, when the county ended up with $60 million for road projects.

The group also took the Utah Department of Transportation's wish list, which includes road projects from all over the state, to throw their support in with the projects, "because we're not the only one that's got transportation problems," Washburn said.

Knowing they're not the only ones with problems that need fixing and that the dollars for which the county is vying could also go to other states or to increasingly expensive national projects was motivation for Ellertson and White to start looking around for alternative solutions to supplement what the county will get from the federal government.

Both agreed that municipalities should start looking for solutions on a local level "as opposed to continually looking to Washington to solve all our problems," Ellertson said.

Discussion focused mainly in generalities, although he said the county wanted to make sure the county and cities in it get the necessary funds. The goal for Ellertson and White was to look around and see what else is out there.

"I think that was what he and I both agreed, that we need to continue to do that," he said.

Ireland and Richards, while taking part in the transportation talk, also took the time to plug the county seat in what Ireland called last year's sequel. The big priority for Provo a year ago was getting a control tower at the airport; the No. 1 priority last week, after expressing appreciation for the control tower, was the desire for radar at the airport.

"We feel like we have important support on that issue," she said, adding that Salt Lake International Airport officials wanted radar in Utah County, as did other regional governments. "It's the next progression."

Provo is also seeking $2 million for a downtown parking structure in relation to the proposed convention center. This year the Utah Legislature passed a resolution allowing the city to levy an additional tax to pay for that building, she said, and the city is eager to move forward in improving its downtown area. They also discussed maintaining Utah Lake minus much of the carp population, and a reverse 911 emergency contact system that would notify residents in case of a flood, landslide or other emergency. Provo Mayor Lewis Billings, who left for Washington on Sunday, also will be discussing some of those issues.

Washburn's focus this trip was solely on transportation issues, but he was in Washington a few weeks ago to talk up Orem, including updating library technology, getting a video system for police cars and funding a water purification system so the city can reuse wastewater in the parks irrigation system.

He's feeling confident about the funding, he said, considering the senior positions on appropriations committees held by the delegates.

"It seems to really be advantageous for us," he said. "So far we're receiving very, very good help."

Heidi Toth can be reached at 344-2543 or htoth@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.