Despite this week's cold snap, the Utah Department of Transportation is rolling out the orange construction barrels and preparing for a busy summer fixing state roads.
A total of 192 projects, ranging from pothole repairs to major repaving and rehabilitation projects, are planned for Utah roads. The cost: $1.4 billion.
Because of Utah's cold winters, most road work on state highways takes place during the summer. This year will include several projects on I-15, including the $265 million I-15 NOW reconstruction project in Weber County — one of the largest projects UDOT has ever done.
In central Utah, I-15 will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Scipio, in Millard County, until about six miles north of the Juab-Millard county line. In southern Utah, work has already begun to repair I-15 from St. George to the Arizona state line.
Those are only a few of the projects scheduled this summer.
N. — UDOT Region 1
Work on the I-15 NOW reconstruction project — the state's largest road project — will continue this summer, with all-night road closures and lane restrictions scheduled.
The project extends from I-84 in Riverdale to 2700 North in Farr West. The work has been ongoing since last spring. When it's finished in 2008, a new lane will be added to I-15 in each direction.
UDOT is also adding new auxiliary lanes to I-15 from Layton to the Riverdale area. The new lanes will serve as connections between interchanges and are intended to help reduce traffic, said region director Cory Pope. Work started in February and will end this summer.
Another big project is the Legacy Parkway, which will stretch from North Salt Lake to Farmington in Davis County. Work on the highway began last year and is expected to end in 2008.
"I would say that for better or worse, we're getting used to highway construction in northern Utah," Pope said.
Wasatch — Region 2
Road work will impact several local streets in Salt Lake County this year. One project will reconstruct 10600 South from I-15 to State Street. Another will reconstruct State Street from 9000 South to 10600 South.
Both will hopefully help traffic flow when they're complete, said region director Randy Park.
Beginning last month, all left turns were blocked along 10600 South, impacting access to the South Towne Mall and South Towne Auto Mall. Left turns will not be allowed until the end of April, or early May, when the project is completed. When it's done, UDOT will have fixed pavement in the area and improved sidewalks and road drainage.
State Street in the area will be expanded from five to seven lanes. Work will end this fall.
In South Jordan and Riverton, UDOT is expanding Redwood Road from 10400 South to 10600 South. Work began last year and is expected to end this fall. Lanes will be restricted and speeds reduced in the area during construction.
Other, smaller projects include a new interchange at Bangerter Highway and 3500 South. The interchange design will reduce the length of time motorists sit at a light, UDOT said. Drivers who want to turn left will be funneled across oncoming lanes of traffic to a new left-turn lane on the far side of the road.
The drivers can then turn left at the same time traffic in the oncoming lane is moving, UDOT said.
With another project at 4500 South, UDOT will replace a bridge that spans over I-215 using a technique where the bridge is built adjacent to I-215 and then installed in just two days.
Central and south — Regions 3 and 4
Several projects are planned for highways in southern and central Utah this summer. Two concrete-rehabilitation projects in central Utah will reduce the lanes on I-15 to one in each direction from Scipio, in Millard County, to about six miles north of the Juab-Millard county line.
The projects will be finished this summer and fall. They will impact traffic headed south during holiday weekends, said Dal Hawks, region 4 director.
Other projects include one in Provo Canyon, where UDOT has been working for the past two years to widen and improve the road. Motorists should expect 10-15 minute delays through the canyon, which may be closed some nights this summer, said Dave Nazare, region 3 director.
Also in the Provo-Orem area, work will resume to widen 800 North from 400 West and 100 West. Several side streets will be closed periodically, and lane restrictions will be in place on 800 North, said Nazare.
In southern Utah, work has already begun to rehabilitate I-15 from St. George to the Arizona border. On U.S. Highway 491, UDOT is adding several passing lanes that could create delays up to 20 minutes. Passing lanes will also be added to sections of U.S. 6, said Hawks.
His advice to motorists: "Be patient and drive safe."
For more information about UDOT construction projects this summer, log on to www.udot.utah.gov. Click on a link on the left side of the screen that says "projects under construction."
Additional information about road conditions and recent closures or restrictions can be found at commuterlink.utah.gov.
E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com