Comment on Toll tunnel, road proposed for shortcut through Oquirrhs

Sen. Aaron Osmond is proposing legislation to allow a toll road — or perhaps a toll tunnel — to improve a now-tricky shortcut through the Oquirrh Mountains between Tooele and southern Salt Lake County. There already is a public road there, paved through Butterfield Canyon in Salt Lake County. But it’s just a dirt byway in Middle Canyon in Tooele County, said Gordon Haight, assistant Herriman city manager and a chief proponent of improving the route. “It is winding and steep,” Haight said.