Bangerter trying out new intersection

Beginning Sunday, motorists turning left from the Bangerter Highway onto 3500 South will need to drive across three oncoming lanes of traffic before making the turn.

This unconventional movement is part of a new "continuous flow" intersection design being tested by the Utah Department of Transportation, and should save motorists 15-20 seconds of time in traffic, according to Randy Park, director of UDOT region 2.

"In the traffic world, seconds are a big deal," he said.

A continuous flow intersection (CFI) is designed to cut traffic wait-times by eliminating one light in a cycle of traffic lights. Left-turning motorists are directed by a series of green lights into a new lane located on the far side of oncoming lanes of traffic.

Once there, they can turn left at the same time motorists traveling north or south are directed to move forward. Motorists typically have to wait for their own green light before turning left. They can't share a signal with other drivers.

Park said he is hopeful people will not be confused by the new design, but anticipates some concerns. Signs are posted along Bangerter that tell drivers where to go if they want to turn left. Also, traffic light signals will tell motorists when it is safe to go across the oncoming lanes to line up in a new left-turn lane, he said.

"It's pretty intuitive," Park said. "Drivers will have to learn to use it, but the signing and signals guide people where to go."

UDOT has also posted an interactive map that shows motorists how to navigate the intersection at: udot.utah.gov/cfi.

The CFI design was patented in Mexico, and has been used in states such as Louisiana and New York. UDOT says the cost to build the new intersection is about $7.5 million, compared to about $35 million needed to build an interchange that is elevated above cross streets.

Constructing a continuous flow intersection also causes fewer business and residential impacts than a full interchange, Park said. One business, Shag-Rug-La, was forced by UDOT to relocate as result of the intersection. Property from a Les Schwab Tire dealership was also taken to build new left turn lanes.

Kurt Whitehead, co-owner of Shag-Rug-La, said he believes his company was treated fairly in the relocation process, and he is curious to see how a CFI works. His floor and window coverings business is now located in South Jordan, just west of the 10600 South I-15 freeway exit.

"We'll form an opinion when it's all done and we get to use it," Whitehead said abut the intersection. "If it works, it'll be great. I've seen it on paper, and it looks a little cumbersome."

If successful in cutting traffic times at 3500 South and Bangerter, UDOT says it would study whether to build continuous flow intersections at other locations along Bangerter.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com