The UDOT plan calls for a four-lane, divided Legacy Highway about 14 miles long that would brush the eastern shore of the Great Salt Lake between North Salt Lake and Farmington in Davis County.

The Citizens' Smart Growth Alternative, instead, would expand Redwood Road between I-215 in North Salt Lake and 500 South in Woods Cross, then extend it northward to Parrish Lane in Centerville. From there it would continue north on either the Legacy Highway right-of-way west of I-15, or along the current frontage road east of I-15, to the U.S. 89 interchange in Farmington. South of Centerville, Redwood Road would be six lanes. North of Parrish Lane, it would be four.

Either Legacy or the CSGA would provide an alternative to I-15 in case it were closed in an emergency. Both plans envision that I-15 would be expanded to 10 lanes. However, one variation on the CSGA would provide two reversible lanes among the 10. In the morning commute, they would accommodate southbound traffic. In the evening, they would be northbound.

Both the UDOT and Citizens' plans would include a wetlands preserve. But the expanded Redwood Road would be located farther east in the south county than Legacy, so it would destroy fewer wetlands.

The Citizens' Alternative also would be cheaper, its backers say.

Both plans would maximize mass transit - commuter rail and bus rapid transit - but the Citizens' plan would put more emphasis on it sooner. This would encourage transit-oriented land use, and, perhaps, reduce commuting. By contrast, the CSGA proponents say, Legacy Highway would encourage sprawl.

The folks promoting the CSGA claim that it was given short shrift during the draft supplemental environmental impact study, despite modeling which showed that it would meet the project criteria for a full-blown technical review. UDOT disputes that. It appears to us, however, like the CSGA deserves a look.

Legacy Highway still may be the better project. But the Citizens' Alternative is not mere obstructionism. It should be fully evaluated.