Motorists in the South Valley can travel a little farther on the Bangerter Highway.
Officials of the Utah Department Transportation, West Jordan and West Jordan Chamber of Commerce opened a 21/2-mile segment from 5400 to 7800 South Wednesday.Work on the stretch, costing $11 million, started in November 1992. During construction, nearly 300,000 cubic yards of material were excavated and 200,000 square yards of 10-inch thick concrete were poured.
The highway, named after former Gov. Norm Bangerter, is designed to provide improved access and transportation service for rapidly growing southwest Salt Lake County. It starts at I-80 at 4000 West near Salt Lake International Airport and runs south through Salt Lake City, West Valley City, unincorporated Salt Lake County and West Jordan.
Plans are under way to extend the roadway to 9000 South. Environmental and design work is under way for areas south of 9000 South.