SALT LAKE CITY -- Summer is the season when orange traffic cones seem to sprout along Utah roadways, and officials with the Utah Department of Transportation announced their top 10 statewide projects for the year.
Most of the projects have not yet begun, but officials said they are spreading the word so commuters can prepare.
"Most of our construction isn't going on right now," said UDOT Spokeswoman Elizabeth Weight. "It'll start in the next month to two months, but we want people to have enough advance notice so that they know it's coming and to remind them to use the UDOT Traffic app so that they can find their routes."
Weight said they have about 175 projects planned for this year, but she said most of those projects are routine maintenance and should wrap up quickly. She said crews will work at night when possible in order to reduce the impact on drivers.
Officials said, however, things can change. Up to date information about traffic, road conditions and project progress can be found on UDOT's website.
UDOT's traffic app available in Apple's App Store and for Android devices via Google Play.
Weight said drivers should slow down and be aware when driving in construction zones. She said their goal is to keep both drivers and work crews safe as they complete the projects.
The following list of 10 projects comes from a UDOT press release:
I-15, South Davis County
UDOT will extend the longest continuous Express Lanes in the country with the reconstruction of I-15 in Davis County this summer. This project also includes the replacement of multiple bridges from North Salt Lake to Farmington in addition to new interchange configurations at 2600 South and 500 South, which will help improve traffic in those areas. A new pedestrian bridge at Parrish Lane and sidewalk improvements on 500 North and 500 South are also included in the project. Construction is scheduled to start in mid-April and is expected to be complete in 2015.
S.R. 201 Reconstruction, Salt Lake County
Crews will be placing new concrete pavement on S.R. 201 between 5600 West and 9450 West, and widening ramps at the 5600 West interchange. As part of this project, utilities, street signs, and traffic signals will also be upgraded. Work is scheduled start in late April and is expected to be complete in fall 2014. These improvements will prolong the life of the road and reduce congestion in the area.
Bangerter Highway/Redwood Road interchange, Salt Lake County
UDOT will construct a new interchange at the Redwood Road and Bangerter Highway intersection, similar to the interchange at 7800 South and Bangerter Highway. Construction will start this summer and last for approximately one year. The completed project will improve the flow of traffic in a rapidly growing area of Salt Lake County and enhance safety.
I-15, South Cedar City DDI, Cedar City
Crews will reconfigure the I-15 interchange at Exit 57, on the south end of Cedar City, as a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) to improve the flow of traffic for cars, bikes and pedestrians. It includes new ramp construction and modifications to Main Street and the frontage roads. This will be the sixth DDI in Utah. The project is underway and is expected to be complete in fall 2014.
Riverdale Road Reconstruction, Roy
UDOT is reconstructing Riverdale Road between the I-84 interchange and S.R. 126 in Roy to improve traffic flow and reduce delays in the area. The project will replace the existing asphalt with new concrete pavement, add a northbound off-ramp and a southbound on-ramp at I-15, and construct two new intersections as well as a new bridge over the freeway. Construction is underway and is scheduled for completion in late fall 2014.
I-15, 1100 South DDI, Brigham City
UDOT is converting the existing 1100 South interchange on Interstate 15 in Brigham City to a DDI – the seventh in the state, and the first in northern Utah. This innovative interchange will improve the flow of traffic for drivers traveling to and from Logan on U.S. 91. The north half of the interchange is under construction and will be completed in summer 2014. Once the north half is complete, traffic will be switched to the new bridge, crews will demolish the existing bridge, and the south half of the interchange in scheduled to be constructed by fall 2014.
I-80, Parleys Resurfacing, Parleys Canyon
UDOT is resurfacing Interstate 80 in Parleys Canyon from the mouth of the canyon (near Foothill Drive) to the Ranch exit (exit 132).This maintenance project will replace several areas of rough pavement throughout the canyon with new durable asphalt. Construction scheduled to start this summer and is expected to be complete in fall 2014.
State Street Resurfacing, Salt Lake County
UDOT will perform regular maintenance repaving State Street from 400 South to 3300 South, removing the top layer of pavement and replacing it with new asphalt. In addition, crews will reconstruct pedestrian ramps and median islands. Construction is scheduled to start in late April and is expected to be complete by summer 2014. This project will prolong the life of the pavement and provide a smoother ride for drivers.
I-80, Silver Creek to Wanship, Summit County
This project will reconstruct a seven-mile section of Interstate 80, one of the most heavily-traveled highways in Utah, using new concrete pavement to prolong the life of the roadway. Crews will also replace the westbound bridge over Silver Creek. Construction is expected to start in June and is scheduled to be complete in 2015.
U.S. 40 improvements, Wasatch, Duchesne, Uintah Counties
UDOT crews will be working in several locations along U.S. 40: extending passing lanes near Daniels Summit and Vernal; repaving near Fort Duchesne and Jensen; and upgrading lighting in Roosevelt. These projects will enhance safety for drivers and help traffic flow more smoothly between the Wasatch Front and the Uintah Basin. Construction is underway and is scheduled to be complete in fall 2014.
