House Speaker Greg Curtis, who works as an attorney for Anderson, huddled with the governor and state transportation officials earlier this year about possibly extending the proposed Mountain View Corridor through the company's development.

This so-called Vineyard Connector would provide another north-south route to ease congestion along often-clogged Interstate 15 through Lindon and Orem.

"I said, 'Our law firm represents [Anderson], and if you're interested in acquiring the right of way, they're moving forward with development,' " Curtis said.

But, given his connection to Anderson, Curtis maintains that is as far as he went.

"I can't push it," the Sandy Republican said. "I brought it to the governor's attention, but I am out of it. I'm not seeking funding. I won't be carrying any legislation or pushing funding. It's not my district, it's not my county."

A map shows the proposed four-lane highway linking the Mountain View Corridor at the new Pleasant Grove interchange to Orem's Center Street. The plan compares the thoroughfare to eastern Salt Lake County's Van Winkle Expressway.

Mike Hutchings, another Anderson attorney, said his clients aren't pushing the right-of-way acquisition to benefit themselves.

"We could go either way on this," Hutchings said. "If a road is there, great. If not, we'll still have a great development. We don't need a road to have a great development."

Hutchings added that any who perceive Curtis as having a personal interest in the road are mistaken.

"He doesn't care - except for the congestion [in the area]," Hutchings said. "Greg doesn't benefit at all. He just wants an informed decision."

Utah Department of Transportation spokesman Dave Nazare said the decision about a right of way is not UDOT's to make. Rather, Utah County's regional-transportation planning agency, Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), makes that call.

"UDOT can only implement what is on the [agency's] long-range plan," Nazare said. "Now that Geneva Steel is gone and this large piece of property is open to development and open for infrastructure, MAG needs to take a look at that."

Right now, the Vineyard Connector isn't on MAG's transportation plan - yet.

MAG Executive Director Darrell Cook said his agency could add the connector - or another north-south route - to the master plan as soon as this summer.

MAG and other government and transportation heads plan to discuss options for east of Utah Lake when they meet Jan. 4.

"We have very strong interest in seeing some north-south mobility from where the Mountain View Corridor ties in and down south," Cook said. "We're very supportive of the whole idea."

So is Utah County Commissioner Steve White.

"They ought to acquire the land now at fair-market value, and build it," he said.

That's fine with Anderson's attorneys. But, they warn, the clock is ticking.

"If you want a roadway," Hutchings said, "speak now, or forever hold your peace."

toddh@sltrib.com