UDOT removing I-15 express lanes in Utah County to prepare for construction

PROVO — Interstate 15 commuters in Utah County will be hit with double construction for the next several months as two huge projects continue.

I-15 between Lehi and Spanish Fork soon will be one continuous construction zone while workers complete the I-15 Core project.

The project will bring two new travel lanes in both directions, with 10 new and improved interchanges and 55 widened bridges. Until the work is complete in December 2012, the 24-mile project will be lined with cones, and delays are expected.

In preparation for the work, the Utah Department of Transportation plans to open the express (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes to general traffic. Project spokeswoman Heather Barnum said crews have been working overnight to blast away the double white line and diamond from the lanes.

"The express lanes are being converted to a general travel lane for the duration of the project," Barnum said. "Once all of the signage is removed, then it officially becomes a general travel lane, and that should be in the next couple of days."

Barnum said drivers should plan alternate routes, travel during less congested hours, carpool or telecommute to avoid the anticipated delays.

"There will be significant delays in the entire corridor," she said. "We're beginning with a five-month delay in what's called the Provo S-curve — from University Parkway in Orem to Provo Center Street. We're expecting one- to two-hour delays if people don't take alternate routes or alter their travel time."

On Thursday, the southbound I-15 on-ramp at Main Street in American Fork will be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving as part of Pioneer Crossing, an east-west road that will run from Redwood Road in Saratoga Springs to I-15 at the Main Street exit in American Fork. The six-mile road will have five to seven lanes and speeds of 40 to 45 mph.

UDOT spokesman Scott Thompson said Thursday's work will be one of only a few complete closures for the project.

"We don't have another major closure scheduled until the first weekend in June," Thompson said.

While the on-ramp is closed, drivers heading south on I-15 are advised to enter the freeway at either state Route 73 (Main Street in Lehi) or 500 East in American Fork. The southbound off-ramp at Main Street in American Fork will not be closed.

e-mail: ashaha@desnews.com