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Coco Warner Reporting...By coordinating the construction of a new TRAX bridge with lane expansion along I-215, the UTA and UDOT hope to kill two birds with one stone.
It's one of life's small ironies. Summer weather makes for more road trips but it also makes for more road construction.
Tom Hudachko/UDOT: "WE'VE GOT AN ENORMOUS INVESTMENT IN OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OUT HERE AND WE'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF IT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT LASTS AS LONG AS IT POSSIBLY CAN."
But commuters should take heart in the fact that transportation officials are doing their best to minimize delays.
Tom Hudachko/UDOT:""REALLY BY TEAMING UP WITH UTA AND DOING ESSENTIALLY TWO PROJECTS AT ONCE IN THE SAME AREA REALLY MINIMIZES THE IMPACT WE HAVE ON TRAVELLERS, IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A LOT MORE CONVENIENT FOR THEM IN THE LONG RUN."
UTA's project became necessary because of increased ridership.
Kris McBride/Utah Transit Authority: "CURRENTLY THE TRAX SYSTEM RUNS OVER TWO DIFFERENT AREAS, OVER TWO DIFFERENT BRIDGES THAT ARE SINGLE TRACKED, IN OTHER WORDS, THE TRAINS HAVE TO WAIT FOR EACH OTHER TO CROSS THE BRIDGE."
So they're building an additional track alongside the single tracked I-215 bridge. At the same time, UDOT will permanently widen I-215 between 300 East and Redwood Road.
Tonight eastbound lanes will close at ten and reopen tomorrow morning at nine. Motorists will be asked to detour on I-15, and take the 7200 South exit.
And Saturday night, westbound motorists should exit at 280 east -- and travel on 6400 south to State Street.
"SO PEOPLE WILL DEFINITELY WANT TO USE THE TOOLS THAT ARE OUT THERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT CONSTRUCTION THAT'S GOING ON, THEY CAN CALL THE 511 TRAVEL INFORMATION LINE, WHICH IS A FREE CALL. THEY CAN CHECK COMMUTER LINK DOT UTAH DOT GOV."
Transportation officials also want motorists to slow down in construction zones and watch out for workers and equipment. And remember, the fines double.
