The frustration (motorists) will feel this weekend is going to painful, but the benefit in the long run is going to be so much better. – Mindy Nelson, UDOT spokeswoman
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah County drivers may want to take some aspirin before venturing out toward University Parkway this weekend.
Construction crews on the Utah Department of Transportation’s Utah County I-15 Corridor Expansion are scheduled to close the major thoroughfare from 400 West to the I-15 interchange in Orem from Friday at 10 p.m. until Tuesday at 5:30 a.m.
This closure will allow workers to complete paving, lane markings and signal work to convert the University Parkway-Sandhill Road intersection as a continuous flow intersection.
“With a three-day closure scheduled to begin Friday night, construction on University Parkway will get worse before it gets better,” said UDOT spokeswoman Mindy Nelson. “It will all be worth it when the new continuous flow intersection opens on Tuesday, and east-west drivers will see more green lights.”
During the closures, I-15 will remain open. However, drivers should use 400 West or Geneva Road to access east-west routes, Utah Valley University and local business areas. Drivers can also use Orem Center Street, 800 North or Provo Center Street for I-15 access.
According to UDOT, nearly 70,000 cars use the intersection at University Parkway and Sandhill Road each day. Converting it to a CFI will improve the flow of traffic through the intersection by 20 percent and will enhance safety for drivers turning left from University Parkway onto Sandhill Road, the agency said.
"Keep in mind that it's just one weekend," Nelson said. "In the long run, opening this as a continuous flow intersection is going to greatly increase the traffic flow."
The I-15 CORE is scheduled for completion in December.
"The frustration (motorists) will feel this weekend is going to painful, but the benefit in the long run is going to be so much better," she added.
For more information on the new CFI, including a video tutorial, drivers can visit http://udot.utah.gov/i15core/cfi.php.
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