I-80 construction zones to open

In light of anticipated traffic during the holiday weekend, certain roads and on-ramps on I-80 usually closed for construction will be open.

The nearly $200 million Innovate 80 project that includes four new bridges being constructed on the I-80 corridor through Salt Lake and Summit counties and other projects has kept drivers traveling at 55 mph speed limits through multiple construction zones. However, the Fourth of July weekend that traditionally sends thousands of residents flocking to Sugarhouse Park and other areas for fireworks, has encouraged Utah Department of Transportation officials to reopen certain lanes and ramps to keep traffic congestion to a minimum.

UDOT will open the westbound on-ramp at 2300 East at 7 p.m. Thursday and close it again on Monday at 9 a.m. Drivers will also have access to a second lane from Echo to Emery for the weekend.

Highland Drive from I-80 north to 2100 South will remain closed for the Sugar House Arts Festival. UDOT officials recommend that westbound travelers from I-215 or Parleys Canyon take the Foothill Drive exit and travel west on 2100 South.

"For the Fourth of July, we want people to come out here and experience fireworks," said UDOT spokesman Adan Carrillo. "And there's a lot of activities after fireworks. People can visit merchants, go see a late movie and delay heading home into traffic. We advise people to leave a little early or stay later."

UDOT officials plan to cooperate with traffic signals outside of Sugar House to help people leave more quickly. And travelers taking U.S. 40 just off I-80 will have a second lane to accommodate holiday travel starting at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Also, the I-84 Morgan to Henefer route will be mostly clear of construction crews, but state Road 201 from Bangerter Highway to 5600 West will have construction in place, keeping traffic diverted to one side of the freeway using reversible lanes.

The multiple bridge replacement projects, which officials expect to be complete by the second week in October, include two at 2300 East and two at Echo near the Wyoming border. The 2009 bridge replacements were funded by federal stimulus money and officials say this year's work will wrap up most of the crucial I-80 projects.

"We don't know for certain what we'll be doing next year," said UDOT public involvement manager Evelyn Tuddenham. "It depends on funding."

Tuddenham said next year UDOT will likely finish up with maintenance issues and smaller repairs, but that after October, most projects will be complete. The construction project on 1300 East is expected to be done by the end of fall.

Until then, officials warn holiday travelers to drive slowly through congested areas after fireworks and other activities.

"When people speed 10 over in a 55 miles per hour area, they're only saving themselves 10 seconds per mile," Carrillo said. "That's about as long as it takes to tie your shoelace."

E-mail: lgroves@desnews.com