UDOT plans for I-15 interchange in Spanish Fork concerns residents

SPANISH FORK, Utah — UDOT wants to give Utah County, and specifically Spanish Fork, a facelift that will help with traffic.

The county is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. The Utah Department of Transportation recently held an information meeting about a new interchange this week. 

Spanish Fork residents got their first look at a plan for a new I-15 interchange that aims to alleviate traffic on Main Street. While some are excited about the idea, others are worried the project will displace homes. 

UDOT expects Spanish Fork population boom

Spanish Fork is expected to see its population increase 115% by 2050. But Councilman Shane Marshall said traffic is already a problem. 

“If you go down on Main Street at any given time right now, it’s pretty busy. And this will help alleviate some of that,” Marshall said. “It also allows us to get better access to I-15.”

Potentially higher-density developments around the interchange have some residents like Rex Lawson concerned. The farm his family has called home since 1898 could be collateral damage.

“It could take out our family home. I’m kind of the head guy but I’d love to get my grandkids involved and have something that could give them that value of work,” said Lawson.

A waiting game

UDOT Project Manager, Darren Bunker said the project is still in its early stages.

“You know that’s actually one of the hardest jobs that I have is dislocating people that have been there for years and years and years,” said Bunker. “I would just say you know, be patient through this process.”

The project is about halfway into the environmental assessment phase which can take two years to get finished.  It could take five years before construction is completed.

More information about all Utah road projects is available on the UDOT webpage.

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