One of Salt Lake County's busiest retail areas is being hit hard by road construction, with most access to the South Towne Mall and South Towne Auto Mall blocked from 10600 South.

In addition, State Street from 9000 South to 10600 South has been reduced to two lanes. Orange barrels line the sides of the road, and traffic is frequently stalled, residents say.

But businesses in the area say they haven't seen a big reduction in the number of shoppers — just an increase in the grumbling about traffic.

"There have been concerns about a couple of left turns that have been restricted, but we've been educating our consumers about alternative routes," said Celeste Neil, senior property manager for the South Towne Mall. "Once they realize there are a number of different ways to get to the mall, they can plan their routes accordingly."

Work on both projects began last fall, but major closures on 10600 South didn't happen until February, said UDOT spokesman Adan Carillo. When finished this fall, State Street will have been widened from five to seven lanes. Work to rehabilitate and improve the pavement and drainage along 10600 South will end in late April or early May.

Neil said that sales numbers over the Christmas holiday were strong despite construction. "We didn't see any downturns," she said.

Sales numbers from February, when left-turns from 10600 South were restricted, haven't been calculated yet, Neil said. Left turns will not be allowed until late April or early May, when the project is finished.

UDOT officials said they are trying to educate drivers about alternatives to reach businesses near 10600 South and along State Street. The mall can be accessed on the north, from Centennial Boulevard. Motorists can also use the West Jordan Parkway. The Auto Mall can be accessed from State Street.

Randy Park, UDOT Region 2 director, said the agency has also decided to cut the construction time on 10600 South by about two months. The project was originally scheduled to go until late June.

"It's an incredibly busy area," Park said. "The impacts on 10600 South are significant. We did hear a lot of concerns, because it's a major interchange off I-15. We have modified the scope of work on that project."

For up-to-date information about the two projects, log on to udot.utah.gov/state90-106/

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com