WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – A major reconstruction of four miles along the Interstate 215 west belt will slow traffic for the next year and a half, but hopefully make the stretch a smoother ride for motorists.
The Utah Department of Transportation will start its 215 Renewed project Tuesday night. The work zone will stretch from State Route 201 to 4700 South. The road will be reduced to two lanes in both direction while crews replace the concrete, rebuild bridges and upgrade signs and lighting.
“This is 40-year-old pavement,” said UDOT public information officer John Gleason. “So we’re looking to get in here, and address those issues, and make it a smooth ride for years to come.”
For years, drivers have complained about the section of I-215, which is wrought with holes, cracks and uneven lanes. Gleason said rather than continue to try and patch the road, engineers decided a complete overhaul would be better.
But of course those upgrades come at the cost of travel times. The work will be done mostly at night and on the weekends to try and alleviate some of the discomfort, but UDOT encourages drivers to look for alternate routes during construction times.
“We’re going to have all four lanes open for the morning and evening commute, so that’s great news,” Gleason said. “The speed limit still will be reduced to 60 mph throughout the duration of the project.”
The project is expected to take two construction seasons to finish. It should wrap up in the fall of 2017.
More information on the 215 Renewed project can be found at www.udot.utah.gov/215renewed/
