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Keith McCord reporting Get ready for more construction on Highway 189 through Provo Canyon.
The 55-million dollar project gets underway in earnest Monday night, and will take two years to complete. They will be widening the road, from two to four lanes in each direction, and straightening out some of the sharp curves.
Improvements to Highway 189 through Provo Canyon have been going on for years, and this is another phase of it. A four-mile stretch from the Sundance turnoff, up just past the Deer Creek Dam.
This morning, the groundbreaking, marking the official beginning to the major construction effort.
John Njord, Exec. Dir. UDOT: "I believe that this transportation improvement in this canyon will enhance people's experience as they travel through this canyon."
Highway 189 is the major artery connecting Heber City with the Provo-Orem areas, thousands of motorists drive through here daily. Because of the continued population growth in the two counties, the highway improvements are very necessary.
John Njord, Exec. Dir. UDOT: "In the next 15-years, we anticipate the travel along this road will double... And this will enable us to accomplish the goal of providing connectivity between these two communities."
Besides expanding to four lanes, the work will include realigning part of the road, moving it farther away from the riverbanks; new bridges; and smoothing out some of the sharp turns!
One aspect of this project is to get rid of a big sharp curve at the top on the deer creek dam. Right now it makes a big loop around here. In two years, when this is completed, it will be 4-lanes, and come straight through.
If you commute between Wasatch and Utah Counties, or travel this stretch often, -- listen up: starting Monday night, the road will be closed from 10PM to 6am Monday through Friday. You can expect lane restrictions at all other times. Some inconveniences now, for a safer highway later.
John Njord, Exec. Dir. UDOT:"People have had concerns about the environmental impacts in the canyon, as well as the safety aspects of the canyon, and being able to get between the two communities in a safe and sound manner."
Again, total closure Mondays thru Fridays, 10PM to 6am. Daylight hours on weekends and weekends, the road will be open. But if you miss that 10pm deadline, it's a long trip around!
