SANDY, Utah — The Utah Department of Transportation will open a new "collector-distributor" ramp system on Monday, and drivers should expect heavy travel delays of up to two hours on Sunday as crews prepare to switch traffic to the new system.
The new ramp system is adjacent to northbound I-15 from 9400 S to I-215. Drivers on northbound I-15 will be able to enter the new ramp system prior to 9000 S use it to exit at 7200 S and I-215.
"If drivers miss the new ramp system entrance, they should continue north on I-15 and use 5300 S as a detour to access 7200 S and I-215," a news release from UDOT says.
Northbound I-15 will be reduced to three lanes between 10600 S and I-215 on Sunday. Crews will also need to close ramps while they restripe critical access points. The following ramps may be closed for up to six hours at a time during the switchover process:
- 9000 S off-ramp
- 9000 S on-ramp
- 7200 S off-ramp
The 7200 S and 9000 S ramps will not be closed at the same time.
According to UDOT, the new ramp system is similar to the one between 2100 S and 900 in Salt Lake City and it has a three-lane freeway section separated from the I-15 travel lanes by a concrete barrier.
"This new ramp system will be the only way that drivers will be able to access 7200 S and I-215 from northbound I-15. This improvement is designed to enhance safety and reduce congestion by eliminating the weaving as drivers merge in and out of the I-15 travel lanes between 9000 South and 7200 South. UDOT estimates this will reduce crashes by nearly 40% and travel times by 50%," the news release says.
The project is part of UDOT's larger I-15 Northbound project, which is also widening northbound I-15 to add a new travel lane from Bangerter Hwy. to 9400 S. The I-15 Northbound project is expected to be completed by this summer.
