UTAH

UDOT uses recycled concrete in new interchange

Aug 28, 2024, 12:00 PM

East/west traffic on 4700 South at Bangerter Highway...

East/west traffic on 4700 South at Bangerter Highway. (Adam Small, KSL NewsRadio)

(Adam Small, KSL NewsRadio)

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation said it is using recycled concrete to build a new Bangerter Highway interchange near 4700 S. 

Construction crews removed concrete from the road to make way for a new interchange. Instead of discarding it, UDOT decided to reuse it 

UDOT has been working for a decade to remove stoplights from the highway, replacing them with freeway-style interchanges. The projects are intended to increase safety and help traffic flow smoothly. 

According to UDOT, construction crews just finished processing 15,000 cubic yards. 

That is enough concrete to fill two Goodyear Blimps.

“In the past, all of this concrete would have gone to waste, and now is being recycled and reused for UDOT projects,” said Robert Stewart, UDOT’s Region 2 director.   

UDOT decided to reuse the concrete in the same area to minimize truck trips. 

The journey of recycled concrete

For the past five months, crews have been working to give new life to the concrete. 

First, per the press release, construction teams used machinery to break up the existing concrete. Then, the teams used a machine to crush it. 

According to UDOT, the crushing machine contains a large magnet to remove rebar from the concrete. The remaining rebar was also recycled. 

Crews then processed it into a base for the interchange. 

“What most people don’t know is that most of the materials in our highways are 100% recyclable, whether that’s concrete or asphalt,” said Jake Nielson, the manager of the 4700 S. Bangerter Highway project. 

The north-to-south corridor is one of the largest in the Salt Lake Valley. An average of 60,000 vehicles use the road each day, per UDOT. 

Related: 4700 South closing at Bangerter Highway for a year

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah

Kaysville City officials confirmed that the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District had added water ...

Simone Seikaly

Kaysville City tells residents why water smells like chlorine

Weber officials recently added water from groundwater wells, which, because of extra processing, created the chlorine smell.

8 hours ago

The Utah Board of Higher Education announced Elizabeth “Betsy” R. Cantwell as Utah State Univer...

Carlysle Price

USU President announces departure, becomes first woman president at Washington State University

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah State University President Elizabeth R. Cantwell has announced her departure from USU and has accepted a position out of state. The Utah Board of Higher Education released a statement Thursday announcing Cantwell’s departure, and said she has accepted a position as president of Washington State University. Cantwell is set to […]

8 hours ago

Jail overcrowding is addressed by one of the bills before lawmakers on Utah’s Capitol Hill right ...

Don Brinkerhoff

Legislation would prevent some jail releases due to overcrowding

A new bill would prevent some inmates from being released, without first seeing a judge, due to jail overcrowding.

9 hours ago

A fatal crash on I-15 near Point of the Mountain closed multiple northbound lanes of traffic Thursd...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

1 dead, multiple I-15 lanes closed near Point of the Mountain after crash

The Point of the Mountain crash occurred near milepost 286 (16200 South) at 11:56 a.m., according to the Utah Department of Transportation.

10 hours ago

State Capitol...

Adam Small

New bill regarding specialty license plates could cost Utah Historical Society millions in future revenue

The Utah Historical Society could potentially miss out on millions of dollars under a bill focusing on specialty license plates.

11 hours ago

FILE: A United States District Court emblem is seen in a courtroom in the Salt Lake City Federal Co...

Simone Seikaly

Former gymnastics coach pleads guilty to new charges involving cameras, bathrooms

Gymnastics coach Adam Richard Jacobs has plead guilty to putting a camera in a minor's hotel room and bathroom.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

UDOT uses recycled concrete in new interchange