Provo seeking I-15 connector to airport

PROVO — Local officials are hoping to improve access to the city's airport by building a road connecting it to I-15.

Chief Administrative Officer Wayne Parker said the city recently commissioned an environmental impact study to figure out how to build a freeway interchange and a southwest connector without damaging wetlands and wildlife.

"It's going to be a delicate project," Parker said.

The connector would run from the I-15 and University Avenue interchange to the airport, with other connections along the road. The study will take about three years.

Parker said the city is committed to the road for several reasons.

"It's important, No. 1, for the whole southwest quadrant of the city to be able to have improved access to the East Bay area and the freeway," he said.

There's also only one way in and out of the airport currently, he said.

Airport Director Steve Gleason said the road is one of several projects being considered.

Improvements to the airport's infrastructure could lead to regularly scheduled flights, Gleason. But first, the airport will need radar.

Salt Lake City International Airport administrators support radar at the Point of the Mountain, which would benefit the Provo Airport. Once that happens, city officials believe scheduled service will come.

"We have an airport and we have a market," Gleason said. "Airlines are the ones who decide if the market is such that they can make money by flying in and out of Provo."

The airport is also looking to expand the number of hangars for general aviation.

Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn said the entire county could benefit from an expanded airport. "It is a municipal airport, but nevertheless, as the population grows and hopefully access to the airport improves and service increases, there will be more of our citizens as well as those from other communities who would be using it," he said.