It's official: Utah County will get a quick fix for congestion on I-15 with controversial dollars coming from the state.

On Friday, the Transportation Commission — which approves projects and programming for the Utah Department of Transportation — gave approval for $30 million to go toward expansion of I-15 in Utah County.

The money had been set aside for transportation during the Legislature's general session earlier this year, but controversy arose after senators failed to vote on a bill dictating where the $30 million would go.

Without the vote, the money went to the Centennial Highway Fund, which pays for specific road projects chosen by the Legislature in 1997.

Expansion of I-15 in Utah County is not a Centennial Highway Fund project, which means it can't be funded with those dollars.

After learning of the mix-up, the governor found a loophole to allow the money to go to I-15. But lawmakers were upset, claiming the loophole could allow for more money to be taken from the fund — and away from projects not already funded.

Passage of HB1008 on Wednesday solved the problem, sending the $30 million into the correct transportation fund.

Friday's decision marks the end of the issue.

"We expected it (the approval) to go through," said UDOT spokesman Brent Wilhite. "This means we can put it (the I-15 project) out to bid next week and begin construction as early as June."

Work on I-15 in Utah County will be similar to the expansion of I-15 in Salt Lake County last year. The median will be filled and a new lane added from Alpine to University Parkway in Orem.

UDOT started an environmental study last year to determine a plan for expanding roads and adding transit to the area, said Wilhite. It is to be completed in three years.

For more information on the environmental study, visit www.udot.utah.gov/i15utahcounty.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com