The Northern Corridor highway, first approved under President Donald Trump and later reversed by former President Joe Biden, has been re-approved, reigniting debate among St. George residents.
After dismissing a previously endorsed plan, the Bureau of Land Management continues to revise its plans, saying the former plan to attach a four-lane highway to Red Hills Parkway would not be “technically or economically feasible.”
Discourse between those in opposition and those in approval of the construction stems from a debate surrounding legality and preservation.
Some people who approve of the construction argue that it will greatly improve traffic through major roadways in St. George, such as Bluff Street and St. George Boulevard. Bluff Street and St. George Boulevard experience periods of congestion and do not have the reserve capacity necessary to meet the future travel demands, BLM wrote in a document.
BLM reports that not only would the decreased congestion within the city significantly reduce accidents, but it would also improve air quality by reducing travel time from Interstate 15 to Sunset Boulevard by nearly 20 minutes.
On Jan. 21, a Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision Record was completed for an Environmental Assessment. BLM is seeking additional public feedback as the construction plans are carried out.
Those opposing the construction of the highway often argue that conservation and restoration of southern Utah lands are in the best interest of the community.
Nonprofit organization Conserve Southwest Utah argued that not only would the highway destroy tortoise habitats and disrupt popular hiking trails, but BLM’s claim that traffic would be reduced is false.
“The temporary congestion relief provided by a roadway expansion induces more people to drive more miles and to take trips they were not taking before the road network was expanded,” Conserve Southwest Utah stated in a document.
Some Utah Tech University students share the same concerns with Conserve Southwest Utah. “We’re already taking up so much space already. I don’t know if we need to take up any more,” said Ethan Murray, a junior programming major from Lynnwood, Washington.
Conserve Southwest Utah projects there will be a direct loss of 275 acres of land, with an estimated 2,333 acres of tortoise habitat that will be indirectly affected.
Another major drawback, according to Conserve Southwest Utah, is irreparable damage to scenic vistas that bring in 600,000 visitors every year.
“I love recreation, that’s one of the things I love about St. George, and the more roads and developments that are built in, the less recreation we have,” said Maya Christopherson, a sophomore elementary education major from Cache Valley.
With differing opinions regarding the construction of the Northern Corridor highway, another Utah Tech student shares the concern about losing an important part of southern Utah culture.
“The beautiful desert landscape is such an important part of southern Utah, and developing it would take away the home of numerous plants and animals,” said Abby Adams, a sophomore marketing major from St. George. “It’s not common to have such an amazing area that people can do so many fun things in, and we need to push to keep it that way.”
