I-215 reconstruction set to begin

SALT LAKE CITY — Driving the west-side belt route will become a bit more time-consuming starting this week.

The Utah Department of Transportation announced Monday that construction on the agency’s top project is scheduled to begin as early as Tuesday night.

Drivers should initially expect minor delays as work gets underway on the I-215 west belt route between state Route 201 and 4700 South, according to UDOT. Crews will start the process of replacing old, worn concrete and bridge overpasses, UDOT spokesman John Gleason said.

"It's a complete rebuild," Gleason said. "We're replacing the bridges at S.R. 201, as well as adding auxiliary lanes to the interchanges of 4700 South, 3500 South and (state Route) 201 just to make it easier for people to get on the freeway."

Most of the work will be done during the overnight hours and on weekends, he said, to minimize traffic impacts. There may be lane shifts, but all lanes will remain open during the morning and evening commutes, with lane restrictions implemented during off-peak driving hours, Gleason said.

Later this month, crews will begin repaving westbound I-215 between 300 East and Redwood Road with new asphalt, he said, and the speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph during construction.

The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2017, Gleason said. Drivers should expect nighttime and weekend lane restrictions throughout the duration of the project, with delays up to 30 minutes in some cases, he said.

"It really is important for all of us to plan ahead, allow extra (traveling) time and consider using alternate routes, especially on the weekend," Gleason said.

He recommended using I-15 or Bangerter Highway as alternate routes.

"If you're driving out to the airport, allow yourself some extra time," Gleason said.

Salt Lake City International Airport is undergoing a $2.6 billion redevelopment effort — the first phase of which is scheduled for completion in 2020. Added construction might create even longer delays for some air travelers, he noted.

Meanwhile, drivers in Summit County should expect minor delays starting as early as Sunday night.

U.S. 40 is reduced to one lane in each direction from Jordanelle Reservoir to the junction with state Route 248, with restrictions in place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to noon on weekends, Gleason said. The lane restrictions will be in place for several weeks, he said.

Crews are preparing to shift all traffic into the eastbound lanes to accommodate bridge maintenance in the westbound lanes, he said.

In total, more than 150 projects are set to begin statewide with the long-term goal of improving mobility now and in the future, Gleason said.

For more information on traffic restrictions during construction, visit the UDOT Traffic website.

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