UDOT begins Bangerter Highway construction to improve traffic flow
Dec 6, 2023, 8:00 AM
Preliminary work is beginning in four places along Bangerter Hwy, in a project that will eventually result in a complete freeway style stretch of one of the most traveled routes on Salt Lake's west side. Photo courtesy of Becky Bruce
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Department of Transportation has begun multiple projects to improve traffic flow on Bangerter Highway. John Gleason of UDOT said the Bangerter Highway construction will convert the busy stretch to freeway-style interchanges.
Preliminary work for the Bangerter Highway construction project will include moving utilities and removing the noise wall. Around Spring 2024, the project will ramp up to full-on lane closures and shifts.
“The work [will be] at 2700 West, 13400 South and 9800 South. Then we have another interchange we’re working on at 4700 South, so four interchanges in all that we’re working on along Bangerter, that are going to improve traffic,” says Gleason.
Crews began working at the 4700 South intersection to relocate the Jordan Valley Aqueduct. Gleason says none of the initial work should cause major traffic headaches. Gleason said drivers will begin to see some lane shiftings as early as Winter 2024. Drivers will notice the most impact on their commute when construction ramps up in March.
“That’s when really you’ll see (impacts) all across Bangertger, all across the south end, especially 2700 West, 13400 South, and 9800 South,” according to Gleason.
Gleason said that he hopes the Bangerter Highway construction that is expected to cause delays will be worth it, as a fix to improve traffic flow on one of the busiest travel corridors on the west side of the valley.
“The nice thing about this is when construction is complete at the end of 2025, you’re going to have free-flowing traffic on Bangerter Hwy all the way from I-15 to 4100 South and that’s going to save people time, it’s going to improve safety because when you can take out stop lights and replace them with the freeway style interchanges, that takes away some of the conflict points out there, places we see more crashes,” says Gleason.
Gleason said there are plans to remove the popular pedestrian bridge at 9800 South. It will be replaced as part of the new interchange. He says the state will be working with the school on an alternate plan to get students to school safely, but hopes to get that new pedestrian bridge up in time for the following school year.
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