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Sam Penrod ReportingRoad construction is back along I-15, this time in Utah County, where UDOT will extend the car pool lane from Alpine to University Parkway. A year from now drivers can expect less gridlock during the commute hours. However, for the next year, drivers can plan on some headaches during the construction, but usually only at night.
Orange construction barrels are back out on I-15 as UDOT prepares to extend the car pool lane into the heart of Utah County. It will take 42 million dollars, one year of work, and a lot of patience from drivers.
John Njord, Exec. Director, Utah Dept. of Transportation: "From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. there will be three lanes open in each direction, if you come here in the middle of the night, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. we're going to do the balance of the work."
UDOT says extending the car pool lane last year from 106th South to Alpine has dramatically cut back on gridlock. They hope this project will do the same, but admit it is really only a band-aid, that in another five to seven years traffic problems will return.
Lt. Governor Gary Herbert: "You've got to start someplace and we only have so much money and so we've got to put together a functional, comprehensive transportation plan, not just for I-15 but other arterial roads throughout the state."
UDOT hopes that adding the car pool lane will encourage more Utah County drivers who commute to the Salt Lake Valley to give carpooling a try, which could reduce traffic even more.
John Njord, UDOT: "We're pleased to bring forth the car pool lane to Utah County and we're hopeful that folks will gravitate towards that and that they will choose to car pool."
Again construction started today. For the first few months it will be mostly at the north end of the county. The work hours will be 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. and the project should all be finished one year from now.
