Clinton business owners concerned, optimistic as major construction project begins
Mar 17, 2025, 2:00 PM
Clinton business owners are facing some uncertainty as construction begins a new I-15 interchange on 1800 North. (Map data ©2023 Google)
(Map data ©2023 Google)
CLINTON — Construction began Monday for a major project on 1800 North in Sunset and Clinton.
The Utah Department of Transportation will build a new I-15 interchange on 1800 North and widen the road back to about 2000 West. The project is slated to wrap up in the fall of 2027.
But, local business owners are now facing some uncertainty as construction begins. The project is expected to make accessing some businesses harder, including the properties of Two Peaks Barbershop and Kool Kidz Adventure Academy on 1800 North.
Two Peaks owner Abby Grace Eanes told KSL NewsRadio they are expected to lose part of their parking lot to the construction and expect to lose some potential customers while the road work plays out.
Eanes said when she learned about the project, “I got really nervous and anxious because we’re still a new shop, we’re still trying to establish business so it just unfortunate that I got the update at this time because I didn’t know before I got it.”
Eanes just opened up shop in November and is still building a clientele.
“It’s just unfortunate because I’m a new business. I feel like if I was a more established business and people already knew we were here, they wouldn’t feel like they need to go to a different barbershop.”
However, Eanes said she’s, “cautiously optimistic,” since they will likely get more visibility when the project is done.
Cindi Buckley, owner of Kool Kidz Adventure Academy next door, said she’s concerned and anxious because they don’t know if any parents will decide to take their kids elsewhere with the expected short-term traffic headache.
“It’s going to be really hard to get into our business. They are going to have to go through a residential area to get over to us,” Buckley said. ” … I do believe it’s going to be hard for our parents. And I hope we don’t lose any but we may because of that road construction … I’m sure it will impact us in some way.”
Buckley said her main concern is the proximity of the new road to their playground. She said if it’s too close to where their kids play, they would have to relocate.
“We’ve got to make sure the children’s safety is the first thing that we consider.”
Though that’s still to be determined, and she said if they can avoid that problem, she also expects the new road and freeway interchange will help their business in the long run.
“I think it’s going to be good because of the traffic we’ll get.”
Homes, other buildings to be demolished
Since 1800 North is one lane in each direction, widening the road to two lanes in each direction will force UDOT to acquire some properties to make enough room.
UDOT spokesperson Mitch Shaw told KSL NewsRadio they are currently planning to purchase 30 properties, five commercial and 25 residential — including homes — and destroy them.
However Shaw noted those numbers could change as they finalize their plans and designs.
Shaw previously said the project is designed to accommodate the growth happening in the area, help traffic flow and when it’s done, open the door for Hill Air Force Base to build a new gate on 1800 North.
