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SALT LAKE CITY — The drive along the eastside belt route will likely be a bit more congested for the next several months.
The Utah Department of Transportation began work Friday on the reconstruction of the I-215 east bridges over 6200 South, with lane restrictions and minor traffic delays expected through November.
Crews will work to extend the life of the bridges and provide a smoother ride for drivers, said UDOT project manager John Montoya.
“We want to make sure we take care of what we have. That's why we are so focused on maintaining Utah’s roads and bridges, versus repairing them,” he said. “This maintenance work prevents the need for more costly repairs in the future, and it creates less inconvenience for the public.”
During the reconstruction phase, I-215 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction. The restrictions will remain in place through completion of the project in November.
On Tuesday night, all traffic on the eastside belt route will be shifted into the northbound lanes to allow crews to work on the southbound bridges. Immediately afterward, traffic will be shifted to the southbound lanes as crews work on the northbound bridges, Montoya said.
Heads up for those who travel on I-215 East Belt this weekend. Stay informed. Watch UDOT Construction Update: https://t.co/4obtRdYICV
— UDOT Region Two (@UDOTRegionTwo) August 12, 2016
During the construction period, Holladay Boulevard will be closed to vehicles under I-215 through November, but cyclists and pedestrians will be directed through the area by flaggers to ensure safety, he added.
The estimated cost of the east belt project is approximately $8.7 million. In addition to bridges at 6200 South, the project will also include work on bridges and ramps at I-215, on- and off-ramps at 6200 South, bridges over Tolcate Lane and Holladay Boulevard, the 700 East bridge over I-215 in Midvale and the Wasatch Boulevard bridge just north of Big Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Montoya said most of the bridges will undergo the same hydro demolition process that is currently being used on the I-215 west belt reconstruction near 3500 South. The maintenance is expected to extend the useful life of the bridges by about 25 years, he said.
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