I-15 work in Weber to start in '06

Come spring 2006, commuters in Weber County will experience delay from construction along I-15.

The disruption will be part of a three-year, $180 million expansion project, recently approved for funding by the Legislature. Officials with the Utah Department of Transportation are just now meeting with local officials to explain the project's impact.

It will be the state's costliest road project since the pre-Olympic expansion of I-15 in Salt Lake County. At least 14 bridges will be replaced along I-15; two along connector streets. An additional lane will be added in each direction from 31st Street in Ogden to 12th Street in Marriott-Slaterville.

Brent DeYoung, UDOT senior project manager, said traffic delays are significant in the area. Also, pavement and bridge structures are outdated, he said.

"It's one of the highest priorities in the state," DeYoung said. "Most of the bridges and pavements were placed in the late '60s and early '70s. Most of the concrete pavement is at the end of its service life and the bridges were constructed around the same time period. It needs to be replaced."

Most bridges in the project area do not meet current seismic standards, according to DeYoung.

Weber County officials are lobbying to extend the project about four miles to 2700 North in Farr West. It is estimated to cost an additional $30 million to $50 million for that expansion.

Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, said northern Utah lawmakers pushed for extra transportation dollars during the recent legislative session. They didn't receive money.

The state's Utah County delegation — which dominates legislative leadership — received $30 million to extend I-15 carpool lanes from Lehi to Orem. During the upcoming legislative session, Jenkins pledges to obtain dollars for the Weber County project.

"As far as the money aspect, you know me, I'm a weasel that way," he said. "I do my best to get the money where it can go. You know, this is infrastructure. We're going to have to pay for it anyway. My thinking is, gee, if you have a surplus, why not take it and put it into these projects."

In November, UDOT is expected to select a contractor for the Weber County I-15 expansion. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2006 and continue over three summers.

UDOT officials are planning to keep both lanes in the construction area open. Delays will occur. Whether I-15 will be closed at times has yet to be decided.

In addition to expansion, the department may add noise walls and install roadway message boards. On June 16, UDOT officials will meet with the Marriott-Slaterville City Council. On June 21, the department will meet with the Ogden City Council.

"We're concerned about the impacts this will have on the traveling public," said DeYoung, "so we're trying to initiate a good public information campaign, to help the public find ways to change travel patterns."

For more information about the Weber County I-15 expansion, go to the Web site www.udot.utah.gov/i15now.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com