UDOT to avoid lane closure on Utah County freeway project

PROVO — The construction-related lane closure expected to cause long delays between Orem's University Parkway and Provo's Center Street exits has been scrapped.

The announcement came during a news conference as Utah Department of Transportation officials unveiled three significant improvements to its I-15 CORE project. The others include a pedestrian tunnel under University Parkway and a new plan for the Center Street interchange.

Plans had been made to close the southbound lane of I-15 beginning May 6 so crews could widen and straighten a stretch of road and bridges on the freeway known as the "s curves." Closing the lane was projected to significantly increase travel times.

"The s curves have always been a challenge for us," said UDOT executive director John Njord. "We knew that during construction, this would be an extremely difficult spot for us because we didn't think we could accommodate enough traffic over these bridges."

But over the past several days, he said, a solution was reached. "We've found a way to accommodate three lanes of traffic through these bridges, and therefore we won't be taking those lanes down."

Instead of closing the southbound lane, UDOT will reduce the speed limit and narrow all three lanes and both shoulders of the road — a change that should reduce the expected delays. Striping units could be working as early as Sunday, and the new traffic control will be implemented in about two weeks.

"The good news is we'll have three lanes in each direction, which will minimize the impact on folks as they travel through the construction zone," Njord said. "That's great news."

UDOT deputy director Carlos Braceras said that while closing a lane to make room for construction has been a default in years past, lately the department has been trying to find other ways to divert traffic.

"We've recognized that our construction activities have impacts, and we are committed to building these projects for the public in a way that provides the least amount of impact," he said.

Changes to the University Parkway and Center Street interchange designs came as UDOT worked with city officials after they expressed concern over the plans.