Bangerter could get new 'centerchange'

WEST JORDAN — Utah Department of Transportation engineers are considering a potential "centerchange" at 7800 South and Bangerter Highway.

"Centerchange" is a working term to describe a proposed exit ramp off Bangerter onto 7800 South that would eliminate the need for stoplights on Bangerter at the intersection.

"Basically, right now, there's a lot of stopping and going, stopping and going on Bangerter," said UDOT spokesman Adan Carrillo. "We're studying alternatives."

The off-ramps from northbound and southbound Bangerter would be in the left lanes — the middle of the highway, hence the term "centerchange."

"Let's say you're going northbound on Bangerter, and you want to go westbound on 7800 South," Carrillo said. "You'd basically turn left, and you'd go under the southbound lanes of Bangerter Highway."

UDOT is meeting with utility companies, business owners and residents in West Jordan about the concept, which if approved, would be part of a $59 million project that would start next spring and last probably one construction year.

Also part of the project are continuous-flow intersections on Bangerter at 7000 South and 6200 South. Continuous-flow intersections are at-grade intersections that move left-turning traffic from the main intersection, which reduces interruptions to the general traffic flow.

UDOT is considering a separate project of such intersections at 3100 South and 4100 South, Carrillo said.

For now, UDOT is studying potential impact the "centerchange" could have to wetlands, air quality, noise and other environmental factors.

UDOT officials say the intersection is needed because of high traffic volumes. Each day, about 28,000 vehicles drive on 7800 South, east of Bangerter Highway, Carrillo said. The road is used by commuters seeking freeway access.

"It's one of the only east-west accesses to I-15," he said of 7800 South.

The nearest access to I-215 is at Redwood Road and about 6400 South.

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