OREM — Transportation crews are putting the finishing touches on 800 North in Orem after more than a year of construction on the major east-west corridor in the heart of Utah County.
The Utah Department of Transportation expects the road to be fully operational when it holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 21. The $56 million project began in May 2007 in an effort to widen the road and improve safety.
"All of the paving is done and they are just finishing some landscaping, raising the manhole covers, doing some lane striping and putting up signs," UDOT spokesman Scott Thompson said.
The road, which runs to Provo Canyon, is now seven lanes wide, consisting of three lanes in each direction as well as a median lane. Right turn lanes were added and left turns were made more safe. Additional street lighting was added and sidewalks were improved for pedestrian safety.