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During the next few weeks, commuters from North Salt Lake and Bountiful can expect delays on U.S. 89 in North Salt Lake. Reconstruction began this morning with gridlock impacting thousands of people.
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) says there was a miscommunication and not enough lanes were open for the morning commute. They tell us that situation has been worked out for tomorrow, but even so, drivers may want to leave a little early.
Squealing breaks, big trucks and obstacles made up the morning commute on Highway 89. One driver, George Brown, said, "It was terrible. I don't think it could get any worse." 
Near Center Street it was bumper to bumper. Driver Mark Murphy said, "So it almost tripled the commute time. That and it made me late for work, which is money out of my pocket."
UDOT says delays should be expected for the next couple weeks. "It sucks, especially when you've got a boss that's breathing down your neck," Murphy said.
Crews will repave much of the road, reconstruct pedestrian ramps, curbs and gutters, and improve drainage. As work continues, there will be periodic closures from Eagle Ridge Drive in North Salt Lake to the I-15 onramp.
Adan Carrillo, with UDOT, said, "We really don't know how often they'll happen or what specific hours they'll happen. They may not even happen at all on some days."
Crews are trying to keep two southbound lanes open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and two northbound lanes open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Still, with 18,000 people driving on this stretch of highway daily, some commuters are changing plans.
Luckily, another road debuting soon may help drivers feeling the pain in this area. "Once we open Legacy in a week and a half, it should alleviate some traffic on I-15 and U.S. 89, if people choose to take Legacy to go to Bountiful or the Farmington area. It'll definitely help out a lot," Carrillo says.
Originally this project wasn't even in the budget for this year, but UDOT was able to squeeze it in. Most of the work should be completed in mid-September.
E-mail: wjohnson@ksl.com
E-mail: ngonzales @ksl.com
