UDOT calls it a connector, Lehi prefers the term boulevard.

And while Lehi leaders say do it now, UDOT says later.

While the syntax and a timeline may be disputed, the Utah Department of Transportation and Lehi officials are in agreement that the east-west connector, called the 10th South Boulevard, must be built to reduce traffic on Lehi's Main Street.

"Because there is an immediate need for this in this area, the state government has fully funded this corridor and separated it out of the Mountain View Corridor study," said Brent Wilhite of UDOT in a recent meeting with Lehi City Council members.

The Mountain View Corridor is planned to connect Interstate 80 in Salt Lake County with Interstate 15 in Utah County.

Still in the early phases of UDOT's planning process, the east-west connector study covers a study area from Main Street south to 1300 South, west from I-15 to Redwood Road. As part of the process, UDOT will host an open house for public comment and information Sept. 6 at Snow Springs Elementary School from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Residents also can give input online at www.udot.utah.gov/ewconnector or by calling (801) 753-7344.

With approved state funding and a timeline showing completion of the five- to seven-lane corridor in 2011, the project will connect Redwood Road to I-15, something officials have said they hope will ease traffic congestion on State Road 73, Lehi's Main Street.

Combined with a project to widen State Road 92, the Highland Highway, north Utah County has several road construction projects that need to be completed before the I-15 reconstruction project begins in 2012.

"We're going to see a lot of orange barrels just in this area of the county," said Geoff Dupaix, a UDOT spokesman. "Because there has been so much growth there is a lot that needs to be done."

"You better hurry, because we're building homes a whole lot faster," Mayor Howard Johnson said.

UDOT open house

Date: Sept. 6

Time: 5-7:30 p.m.

Place: Snow Springs Elementary School

850 S. 1700 West, Lehi

Contact: www.udot.utah.gov/ewconnector, (801) 753-7344

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1.