The Mountainland Association of Governments decided last week to support the 2100 North Lehi freeway as the best option for a new east-west route in Utah County, a position at odds with what Lehi leaders want.

Lehi city officials are working on plans for an alternative east-west connector road at 4800 North.

The proposed route at 2100 North -- the Utah Department of Transportation's preferred option -- would be a six-lane roadway with frontage roads and interchanges through the center of Lehi. The lack of intersections make the roadway, by definition, a freeway.

A brief in Saturday's Daily Herald incorrectly reported that MAG supports Lehi's proposal. MAG is a political subdivision of the State of Utah that administers the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Utah County.

UDOT, MAG and Lehi city all agree that east-west road improvements are needed, especially considering the rapid growth of areas such as Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs. Lehi's streets already are crowded due to commuters going between the two areas, said Darrell Cook, executive director of Mountainland.

The Utah Transportation Commission has said the 2100 North freeway is their "primary alternative" -- that is, the best of all available options.

Lehi officials don't have a date for when the 4800 North proposals will be done, but Lehi City Administrator Jamie Davidson says they have been working on them since they first learned of the 2100 North connector in February.

Davidson said that building a freeway through the center of the city will cause a number of long-term issues.

"We see it not dividing our community in half, but in quarters," he said.

Interstate 15 already bisects Lehi. Davidson says that has made planning and providing municipal services, such as utilities and public safety, very difficult.

"We understand the daily challenges that result from having an interstate running right through the heart of our community," Davidson said.

On May 23, hundreds of Lehi residents protested the 2100 North plan, led by city officials and Citizens Organized for Smarter Transportation, a group headed by Lehi resident David Klock. Lehi city wants residents to continue to voice opposition to the proposed connector at 2100 North.

COST members want the east-west connector road to hook into I-15 closer to Point of the Mountain. The project is part of the Mountain View Corridor, which will link I-80 to north Utah County.

The Mountainland Association of Governments has invited Lehi city to come forward with formal proposals on 4800 North. Until those proposals are in, MAG has no official position on the use of 4800 North.

Darrell Cook said that after extensive review, they believe a freeway at 2100 North is the best option because it relocates fewer people and impacts fewer wetlands.

"That's the intent -- to make it the least intrusive," Cook said.

Davidson and Lehi city disagree with MAG's analysis. Davidson said that 4800 North impacts fewer wetlands, fewer businesses and relocates fewer people than does the 2100 North alternative.

According to Davidson, city studies have shown that 25 percent more traffic could be carried on a 4800 North freeway than could be carried on 2100 South.

Cook said one reason they are supporting a freeway at 2100 North is out of concern that a roadway at 4800 North might be too far north to be effective.

His organization also wants to meet with Lehi officials to determine how a freeway at 2100 North could be the most "community friendly."

Davidson wondered if one road -- even a major freeway -- would solve the problems of east-west traffic.

"We're not convinced as a community that people in Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs [are] actually going to drive north and then east to connect to I-15 to head south," Davidson said.

Lehi argues that multiple arterial routes, along with a freeway at 4800 North, are a better solution than one major freeway to handle all the traffic.

"What happens if there is a significant accident on that one road, or a truck jackknifes on that one roadfi" said Davidson. "Where do you gofi"

Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson has stated on several occasions that he believes a freeway running through Lehi would not be in the best interest of the city and would disrupt business.

This is a long and expensive process, Cook said, and it will be at least a year before decisions are finalized.

Nathan Johnson can be reached at 344-2543 or at njohnson@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.