Utah lawmakers voice opposition to Northern Corridor alternative [Video]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, Utah lawmakers expressed opposition toward a selected alternative to the controversial Northern Corridor highway in Washington County. 

On Nov. 7, the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final supplemental environmental analysis. They selected improvements to the Red Hills Parkway Expressway as an alternative to constructing a new highway. 

A joint press release from the BLM and FWS said the analysis considered three Northern Corridor alternatives:

• Establishment of new roads in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
• Modifying existing roads
• Another alternative that would “terminate the current right-of-way grant”

The BLM website said recommended improvements would “ease congestion and minimize impacts to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.”

Under the alternative plan, parts of the Red Hills Parkway Expressway would connect directly to I-15. 

Furthermore, the BLM said the Northern Corridor alternative would have the lowest impact on the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. The area is also often referred to as the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. 

Opponents have long …