Legacy work is focusing on environment issues
Project is a third done and on track for completion in October 2008
Just under this structure are the rebar skeletons of two smaller bridges that motorists will use to merge onto the parkway from I-215, or vice versa. In the distance is a stretch of dry, undeveloped land that is now protected as the Legacy Nature Preserve.
After four years of litigation delay, four months of settlement negotiations and 10 months to redesign construction plans, work on Legacy is clearly progressing along with an unusual focus on environmental safety and awareness during construction. The road is about one-third finished and on schedule to open by October next year.
"It's been a long time coming to get this road here," said Todd Jensen, Legacy project manager with the Utah Department of Transportation. "Come 2008, it should be a big difference for commuters."
The most visible aspects of construction are on the north and south ends of the 14-mile highway, where crews are working on massive interchange projects. In North Salt Lake, crews are working on three bridges: Two will connect I-215 to Legacy, and the third is a new route for southbound travelers on I-215.
In Farmington, bridges are being built to stretch up to 4,000 feet over the Utah Transit Authority's commuter rail line and Interstate 15. It will connect to Park Lane. Beyond this, crews are working to clear ground for paving, build culverts for drainage, complete some bridge structures for pedestrian and river crossings and build two smaller interchanges.
UDOT officials estimate Legacy will take 30 percent of the traffic off nearby I-15, which, according to 2005 statistics, carries an average of 130,000 cars a day. A network of trails will also be built next to the road, and wetlands will be restored in the 2,225 acre Legacy Nature Preserve, which is being used to mitigate for the nearly 100 acres of wetlands destroyed by Legacy.
Building Legacy is a unique challenge, Jensen said. It's near several housing developments, and in Farmington, the road runs adjacent to I-15, U.S. 89, the Utah Transit Authority's commuter rail system and big power lines.
Legacy's proximity to the Great Salt Lake wetlands has been a source of contention over the highway, and to lessen the impact of construction on the wetlands, workers are required to pass a two-hour environmental-safety test before being allowed on the construction site.
The test deals with issues such as dust suppression and how to clean up an oil spill, identify areas where animals are nesting and prevent silt and sediment from washing into wetland areas. Throughout the 14-mile construction site from North Salt Lake to Farmington, segments of wetlands are encircled by orange fencing to indicate that crews can't go near the sites and should be aware when moving dirt.
Comments
- 5 hurt in latest Pamplona bull run 8:49 a.m.
- Delay in Jackson guardianship case 8:47 a.m.
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- Man spots his stolen car 1:23 a.m.
- Death investigated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Man spots his stolen car
- LDS seminary principal arrested
183 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
137 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
114 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
75 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I feel sorry for the poor Chinese people. They have suffered so much from...
I guess the saints are like everyone else after all. Hmmmmmmmm. Now that is...
I think both Rigby and Cook need to be dealt with. This case shows if you get...
i spent over a year in iraq with the military, and you know what? even in a...
how many people are playing the "devil's advocate". Even more disgusting is...
It frightens me that so many young people are remembering this man as a...
If it was truly just a peck on the cheek, I'd say no big deal. If they were...
Millsap should not worth 9M and witht he front loaded bonus, I think Jazz may...
So if things are so rosy at Sleepy, why did they just let go the head pro?
The poor are heading south to the Mexican border, perhaps then the State of...



You can be the first to comment on this story.