"They're kind of resigned to the fact that that's the way it is," he said. "We're just going to bite the bullet and go through Sardine."

UDOT officials said population growth in Cache and Box Elder counties has significantly increased traffic on Valley View Highway and created unsafe conditions, especially near the county line, where cars often risk passing trucks on hills.

Virtually everyone agrees the advantages of the improved highway will outweigh the hassles of construction.

Autoliv spokeswoman Kathy Whitehead said UDOT gave employees at the company's Tremonton facility, which makes components for air bags and seat belts, ample time to make arrangements for the detour. About 60 of the approximately 350 employees commute from Cache County, and Whitehead said they'll be glad once the improvements to Valley View Highway are complete.

"I think, overall, it certainly will provide a great benefit to our employees," Whitehead said.

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E-mail: mikewennergren@yahoo.com