SALT LAKE CITY — Construction crews are close to completing the replacement of a busy bridge that crosses Interstate 80 in Salt Lake City.
I-80 was closed between 700 East and Foothill Drive since Friday night but reopened Sunday night in both directions — earlier than expected. It was planned to remain closed until Monday morning.
Eastbound I-80 in SLC is now open. Our crews were able to wrap up some of the work early. Take a peek at what they’ve been doing the last couple days. @slcgov @UDOTTRAFFIC pic.twitter.com/G08jKJwRlB
— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) April 17, 2023
The Utah Department of Transportation built a new bridge at 1300 South next to the old one. Between Friday night and Saturday morning, several excavators worked to demolish the old bridge.
Then Saturday night, construction crews slid the newly constructed bridge into place. UDOT said this is called "Accelerated Bridge Construction, which they say reduces delays and closures.
1300 South in the area surrounding the overpass will remain closed for several more days, however, as crews work to connect the bridge to the existing road in the Sugar House area. It's expected to re-open Friday at 5 a.m.
UDOT says the old bridge was built in 1960 and was "due for replacement."
The new bridge will include a new 17-foot-wide trail on the east side and a new sidewalk on the west side.
"It will provide a smoother ride for drivers and will enhance safety for people who walk and bike," a statement from UDOT read.
