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SALT LAKE CITY — Construction season in the Beehive State is officially underway.
The Utah Department of Transportation Wednesday announced its list of top 10 projects for 2016. At the top of the list is a $105 million reconstruction of I-215 in western Salt Lake County, which is scheduled to begin next month and expected to be completed late next year.
In total, over 150 projects are set to begin statewide with the long-term goal of improving mobility now and in the future. These construction projects are designed to enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians, improve the flow of traffic and keep Utah’s roads in good condition, said UDOT Deputy Director Shane Marshall.
“We are committed to keeping traffic moving in the state of Utah,” he said. “These projects will help us preserve our mobility and infrastructure for years to come.”
He said the agency wants to raise awareness among drivers that many changes will be taking place during the coming months, but every effort will be made to maintain as much traffic mobility as possible.
“We are trying to keep all lanes open during (morning and evening) commutes,” Marshall said. “We are asking the public to travel wise, take alternative routes when they can and plan ahead.”
He added that proper planning could minimize the negative impacts of so many projects affecting so many roadways throughout the state.
UDOT will spend about $500 million on improvements this year, he said. Because there is limited time in the warm weather months to work on construction projects, the agency hopes to do all it can to stay on schedule.
“We are definitely constrained by weather between the spring and fall,” Marshall said. “We have about 6,000 miles (of roads) to maintain and operate, so we are always in this mode of doing some sort of construction.”
Top 10 road projects
1.I-215 — 300 East to state Route 201 ($105 million): Reconstructing the freeway with new concrete pavement from S.R. 201 to 4700 South, and with new asphalt from 300 East to Redwood Road. Reconstructing the I-215 bridges at S.R. 201, and adding new auxiliary (exit-only) lanes.
2. I-15 — The Point Project ($252 million): Widening and placing new concrete pavement on I-15 from 12300 South to state Route 92. Major widening work this season will be between 12300 South and Bangerter Highway, with finish work taking place between Bangerter and state Route 92.
3. Mountain View Corridor — 5400 South to 4100 South ($180 million): Extending Mountain View Corridor north to 4100 South.
4. I-15 — Farr West to Brigham City ($52 million): Widening I-15 to add a lane in each direction from 2700 North in Farr West to U.S. 91 in Brigham City.
5. Bangerter Highway — 600 West Interchange ($48 million): Constructing a new freeway-like interchange at Bangerter Highway and 600 West to improve traffic flow near I-15.
6. I-15 — Hill Field Road Interchange and TTI ($28 million): Reconstructing the interchange on I-15 at Hill Field Road to improve traffic flow in Layton.
7. I-15 — St. George Boulevard to Green Springs Drive ($24 million): Widening I-15 to add two lanes in each direction between St. George Boulevard and Green Springs Drive, and constructing new underpasses to connect Red Cliffs Drive with Red Hills Parkway near Mall Drive.
8. I-15 — Riverdale to Farr West ($14 million): Repaving I-15 from the I-84 junction to 2700 North in Weber County.
9. U.S. 189 — Deer Creek Widening ($13 million): Widening U.S. 189 near Deer Creek Reservoir to two lanes in each direction, plus a center turn lane between mileposts 19–25.
10. U.S. 6 — Repaving near I-70 ($10 million): Repaving a 10-mile section of U.S. 6 near Green River.
Contributing: Jed Boal
