Provo leaders lobby for mega I-15 exit

PROVO — Mayor Lewis Billings and the City Council believe it is high time Provoans learned a new word. Actually, it's an acronym and quite fun to pronounce.

SPUI and yes, the correct pronunciation is spooey. What it stands for is critical to the future of Provo, its west-side neighborhoods and its historic downtown, city leaders say.

The county already has one SPUI — the gargantuan I-15 exit at University Parkway in Orem near Utah Valley State College.

Provo wants one for its Center Street exit, contends it must have one, and says residents can help by speaking up at a UDOT open house on Utah County I-15 plans on Saturday.

On Thursday, Billings and Council Chairman George Stewart signed a joint letter to the Utah Department of Transportation that said a SPUI is necessary and called for it to include seven lanes over the railroad tracks where a two-lane viaduct now stands.

Provo's leaders also want:

• A four-mile frontage road system along I-15 from 800 South in Orem to their proposed Center Street SPUI.

• A 500 West underpass; when I-15 was built more than 40 years ago, it severed 500 West at about 1300 South.

• The intersection of 820 North and Geneva Road moved so that an "S" bend connects 820 North to 620 North at Geneva Road, eliminating the 820 North underpass.