LEHI — Constructing a freeway on 2100 North isn’t just a road project, it’s “transformational,” according to Sen. Heidi Balderree, of Saratoga Springs.

“This 2100 North freeway is not just a financial investment, it’s an investment in people,” Balderree said during a groundbreaking for the 2100 North freeway project on Wednesday.

The Utah County senator said all the hard work it took between state, county and city leaders was “work worth doing” to get this project to become a reality.

“It’s an investment in reclaiming back time with our families, traveling safer, more reliable commutes, granting greater access to opportunity and uniting ourselves as stronger, more connected communities,” she said.

The 2.8-mile freeway will connect I-15 to Mountain View Corridor with freeway-style interchanges and use the existing 2100 North lanes as frontage roads. Construction will also include 14 new bridges, two pedestrian bridges and miles of shared pathways for runners, walkers and bikers.

The freeway will reduce congestion, connect communities more efficiently, improve reliability, separate local and through traffic and reduce cut-through traffic in neighborhoods to make them safer for families, Balderee added.

Living in a time with extraordinary growth in this part of the state means elected officials have extra responsibility to plan ahead, invest wisely and “build infrastructure that serves people not just for today, but for generations,” Balderee said.

“Today, we break ground, but more importantly, we build connection. As we move this earth today, let’s remember that we aren’t just pouring concrete, we are weaving the fabric of Utah’s future,” Balderee said. “This freeway will do more than just move vehicles. We will shorten the distance between families, sync our growing economies and bridge the gap between where we are and where we are going.”

Utah Department of Transportation Executive Director Carlos Braceras said the freeway is expected to save people 12 minutes in each direction, totaling 24 minutes of “time given back to the people of this area.”

Utah Rep. Kay Christofferson, chair of the House Transportation Committee, said this project was a “perfect example” of corridor preservation and looking ahead. House Speaker Mike Schultz echoed similar sentiments, saying that projects in which groups work together to invest and think long term help Utah succeed.

“Utah continues to succeed because we are willing to invest in infrastructure and think long term, even when the benefits might not be realized today but years from now,” Schultz said. “When we work together with a long-term vision, we will build more than just roads; we will build a foundation for the next generation of Utah’s prosperity.”

Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran said his family moved into Lehi, just off of 2100 North, a decade ago. He has seen the growth of the western portion of the county firsthand and said this freeway is a “very big day for us.”

Beltran shared the story of a Utah County couple who can no longer attend their grandchildren’s sporting events in Eagle Mountain on weeknights because the traffic is just too bad. With this new freeway, those grandparents can spend more time with their grandchildren again.

“This is not a road project. This is a people project. This is a families project. Utah values families, and we’re going to put families together for 30 more minutes, and that is the most important thing we can do,” Beltran said.

Project manager Andrew Jordan said the “forethought and vision” in the transportation system are on display with this project, as it began being preserved years ago to allow for expansion now, when the community needs it.

“It’s exciting. I am a local resident and understand the frustrations the existing commuters are facing and the relief that this will provide,” Jordan said.

The freeway is anticipated to be completed and operational in late 2028. The approximately $600 million project is just one part of almost $2 billion of investments throughout northwest Utah County to improve transportation, Jordan added.

SALT LAKE CITY — A prominent Republican state lawmaker is ending his reelection campaign because he is moving out of his district.

Rep. Jefferson Burton announced the decision in a post on social media, calling his legislative service “one of the greatest honors of my life.” Although he had previously filed to seek another term, state lawmakers are required to live within the boundaries of the district they represent, unlike federal representatives.

“My family and I will be moving outside of my district, and because of that, I will be withdrawing from reelection to the Utah House of Representatives,” wrote Burton, R-Salem.

Prior to joining the Utah House in 2021, Burton served for 37 years in the U.S. Army and National Guard. He retired as adjutant general of the Utah National Guard in 2019.

“Through all of it, my mission has been the same: serve with integrity and never forget that every decision affects real people and real families,” he added. “I carry that same commitment with me as I close this chapter. I leave proud of the work we did together. Thank you for your trust. It has been a true privilege.”

The exact timing of Burton’s move is unclear. The Utah Constitution states that lawmakers “may not continue to serve in that office after ceasing to be a resident of the district from which elected.” Burton’s announcement only states that he won’t seek another term, so it won’t require a special election to replace him.

The filing deadline for legislative candidates passed in January and Burton had two Republicans sign up to challenge him: Matthew Durrant and Jackie Larson. His replacement will take office early next year.

At the Capitol, Burton is the chairman of the House Government Operations Committee and serves on the powerful House Rules Committee. In recent years, he has sponsored legislation to revamp the state’s vote-by-mail system and passed a bill this year directing the state to study possible changes.

Burton joins several other incumbent lawmakers who are not running for reelection.

Those include Rep. Cheryl Acton, R-West Jordan; Rep. Stewart Barlow, R-Fruit Heights; Majority Assistant Whip Bridger Bolinder, R-Grantsville; Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo; Rep. Matthew Gwynn, R-Farr West; Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City; Rep. Mike Kohler, R-Midway; Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse; Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay; Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton; and Rep. Christine Watkins, R-Price.

MANTI — A Utah jury recently found a Colorado man not guilty of assaulting a woman following a lengthy court process.

But now, the man’s mother is in trouble for allegedly interfering with her son’s trial.

That scenario played out earlier this month in Sanpete County’s 6th District Court. A 25-year-old man was on trial on charges of object rape, a first-degree felony; forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and lewdness, a class B misdemeanor, and was accused of abusing a woman in 2021.

On March 10, Junstina Faapouli, 49, of Colorado Springs, was overheard talking to two people who were scheduled to testify on behalf of the defense that day, according to court documents.

“I spoke with both individuals who stated that Junstina had told them specific details about the victim’s testimony and that the victim’s testimony was false and inaccurate. I asked both individuals if Mrs. Faapouli knew they were there to testify, and they confirmed that she did,” the arresting officer wrote in a police booking affidavit.

In courtrooms across the nation, the exclusionary rule is commonly used. In a typical scenario, those who are expected to testify at a trial are generally not allowed to be in the courtroom while other witnesses are testifying. This is to prevent one person’s testimony from potentially being influenced by another witness’ testimony.

When prosecutors in Sanpete County found out about the alleged violation involving Faapouli, they called for a violation of the exclusionary rule and Faapouli was removed from the courtroom.

“Because Mr. Faapouli disclosed details of the victim’s testimony to the two individuals, they were not allowed to testify in the case,” the affidavit states.

Although the defense’s two witnesses were not allowed to take the stand, jurors found the defendant not guilty. Faapouli, however, was arrested and charged on March 10 with two counts of obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony.

Her next court hearing is scheduled for March 23.