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Centennial
Highway Projects
County Roads (RS 2477)
Energy Policy
Statewide Broadband Access
Centennial
Highway Projects
Unparalleled growth in Utah has created critical transportation
challenges. As Utah's population and economy continue to grow, increasing
pressure is placed on our transportation system. The growth of traffic
statewide, measured in vehicle miles traveled, has increased more
than 57 percent over past decade. Increasing congestion and deteriorating
highways impact Utah's enviable quality of life.
In 1995, transportation
planners estimated that the state had over $8 billion in unfunded
transportation needs as available resources continued to outpace
needs. Governor Leavitt, worked with the legislature to create the
Centennial Highway Fund in 1997, a ten-year transportation construction
plan for projects throughout Utah, including construction of the
Legacy Parkway, the recently completed reconstruction of I-15 in
Salt Lake County, and funding for transit. The highways built with
this fund will decrease congestion (which contributes to cleaner
air) and increase safety. Funds will also support multi-modal solutions
to meet our future traffic demands, including development of commuter
rail.
Rural
County Roads (R.S. 2477)
Maintaining
Utah's transportation system is critically important to Utah agriculture,
fire suppression, maintenance of water conveyances, recreation,
tourism, and a host of other uses. The State of Utah is in the process
of identifying roads across public lands that qualify as R.S. 2477
roads so the state can protect these important state interests.
They are our roads and our rights.
R.S. 2477 is
a statute enacted in 1866 to facilitate the settlement of the Western
Frontier by establishing the development of a system to create roads
and trails. It is a very short law, consisting of one sentence:
"The right of way for the construction of highways across public
lands not otherwise reserved for public purposes is herby granted."
These right-of-way
grants were made to individual states and their local governments.
Many associated rights came with these grants, including the right
to maintain the road systems and upgrade them under certain circumstances.
Governor Leavitt, the State of Utah and its counties view R.S. 2477
Roads as an important right to protect public access to Utah's federal
land.
Energy
Policy
Utah's energy needs must be met to keep the economy strong and maintain
life quality. The Governor has worked collaboratively with energy
users, producers, and regulators to adopt a set of principles to
guide state actions regarding energy issues. These principles provide
the foundation for an energy policy based on market based incentives,
regional cooperation, and public- private partnerships. Adherence
to these principles will keep Utah's economy strong, foster a cleaner
environment, and maintain Utah's enviable quality of life.
Utah's Energy Principles
Utah's Energy Policy
Statewide
Broadband Access
In the information age communities that are connected to the global
information network have the best chance of sustained economic prosperity.
As state government provides more and more services online, the
ability to access these services through faster connectivity becomes
critical.
Governor Leavitt
desires to provide universal
broadband Internet access statewide. Broadband will enable a
more frictionless government, where access to desired information
and services happens quickly and conveniently from a users home
or business. The governor, and Chief
Information Officer are working with both private and public
broadband experts to find ways to encourage providers to offer broadband
access to even the smallest rural community. A rancher in Juab County
needs the advantages of access, speed and convenience as much as
the banker in Ogden.
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Biography
