While SB80 only sets up a mechanism for the state to develop public-private partnerships with toll road builders for any road in the state, sponsor Sen. Sheldon Killpack, UDOT and other state officials have made it clear the first likely target would be the planned Mountain View Corridor.

That segment of the old Legacy Highway plan would stretch 35 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport to Pleasant Grove.

During House debate Wednesday, Rep. Eric Hutchings, Republican of Kearns, passionately objected.

"The west side of Salt Lake County doesn't want a toll road. . . . It's not right. It's not fair. If we need more money for transportation, let's pay across the board," Hutchings said.

But House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander, of Provo, noted that roads needed during the coming decade would cost $16.1 billion. "We have to get the money somehow."

Under SB80, the state would own the roadway, land and right of way. A private partner would contract to build the road, provide the billions of dollars needed to finance it and then operate it as a concession.

The state Transportation Commission would be in charge of deciding what the tolls would be, when they could be raised, and what the cap would be.

Transportation planners once considered toll-road status for Legacy Highway, but dropped the idea quickly.

Killpack predicted the state will see toll roads put forth as an option from here on because gas taxes aren't sufficient to pay the bill.

In the long run, he said, private involvement will mean better roads, he said, because "those driving the toll roads will be customers."

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Reporters Matt Canham and Glen Warchol contributed to this report.