The south Salt Lake Valley should have a new I-15 interchange by 2002, and the Utah Department of Transportation will begin adding a lane to I-15 in Davis County this summer.
The 1999 Legislature is making both projects possible.A switch of money within the Centennial Highway Fund and a commitment from south valley cities -- Draper, Riverton, Sandy and South Jordan -- to pay $4.5 million in interest will bring a modern interchange to I-15 at 11400 South.
The $26 million construction cost is being borrowed from a proposed widening and extension of 2000 East. The 11400 South interchange was not scheduled for completion until about 2007. The cities will use money from their redevelopment agencies to pay the interest.
In another funding tradeoff, lawmakers agreed to borrow $50 million from the beleaguered Legacy Parkway and use it to add an extra lane in each direction on I-15 from North Salt Lake to Farmington.
Gov. Mike Leavitt has promoted the widening as a way to relieve congestion in the crowded commuter corridor until the Legacy Parkway can be built.