(We’re) maintaining our roads, trying to get the most out of them, so that in the future it’s going to cost us all, as taxpayers, less money. – UDOT spokesman John Gleason
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation wants drivers to be aware of several major construction projects planned this weekend that could have a significant impact on their travels.
UDOT wants drivers to be prepared to take alternate routes and to slow down in work zones for everyone’s safety.
“We want to make sure that everyone, motorists and our workers, are safe and that everyone gets to go home to their families,” UDOT spokesman John Gleason said. “By not respecting those speed limits and slowing down during the work zones, it’s really placing lives in danger.”
Drivers heading to Salt Lake City International Airport will need to know about ramp closures on I-80 and I-215 near the airport. The ramps will be closed from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. for concrete repairs.
“We are trying to minimize inconvenience by doing most of the work in the overnight hours,” Gleason said. “So if you’re catching a flight, likely it will be out of these times that we’re are doing the work.”
Drivers can use I-15 or Bangerter Highway as alternate routes.
Another project continuing this weekend is on I-15 from Main Street in Lehi to 2100 North, where crews are performing bridge maintenance and repaving the road. This weekend, northbound I-15 will be reduced to two lanes until 6 a.m. Monday.
UDOT officials said the project could present some significant delays.
“Originally we were anticipating maybe even up to an hour delay in both directions,” Gleason said. “So far, in the last two or three weeks that we have been doing the work, we’ve experienced about 15 to 20 minute delays at the worst time, at the peak hours of Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening.”
Gleason said the delays may not be as bad as anticipated because people planned ahead to avoid the area.
Drivers who live in Eagle Mountain trying to travel west of Lehi can use Bangerter Highway or Redwood Road. For those on the east side of I-15, state Route 92 (Timpanogos Highway) is an alternate route of travel.
Starting Monday, Redwood Road from 6600 South to 9000 South in West Jordan will be down to two lanes in each direction during the day, and it will be reduced to one lane in each direction at night. Crews will complete pavement maintenance through September.
Next Thursday, I-15 will close for the weekend at St. George Boulevard for bridge demolition. Traffic will be diverted to the on- and off-ramps.
Southbound I-15 will be closed Thursday night, and northbound I-15 will be closed Friday night. The freeway will be closed in both directions in the area from 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, to 7 a.m., Aug. 11.
Drivers will be able to use the Dixie Drive or the Green Spring Drive exits to access St. George Boulevard.
“(We’re) maintaining our roads, trying to get the most out of them, so that in the future it’s going to cost us all, as taxpayers, less money,” Gleason said.
For the latest information on construction projects, visit udottraffic.utah.gov. or download the free UDOT traffic app for iPhone or Android devices.
Contributing: Viviane Vo-Duc
Email: rjeppesen@deseretnews.com