From Deseret News archives:
PROVO-OREM HILL PROJECT COMPLETED; AREA MERCHANTS FEEL BETTER ALREADY
Fifteen months and tons of concrete later, the barricades are down and traffic on Provo-Orem hill is flowing smoothly.
The $3.4 million project paved 1.1 miles of State Street and created a six-lane highway that should handle increased traffic with minimal maintenance for the next 30 to 40 years. Crews poured 56,500 square yards of concrete and set it 11 inches deep.Officials said using a thick layer of concrete rather than normal asphalt is a relatively new idea.
"It is being used more and more around the country but is not too common yet," said Dan Nelson, director of Utah Department of Transportation's District 6, during a Friday morning ribbon-cutting ceremony. "It is something we can be proud of. I'm sure people from other cities will come by to see how it works out," he said.
"It will save a myriad of problems over asphalt."
John Beal, spokesman for the Provo-Orem Hill Merchants Association, said business owners had been worried about inconvenience to shoppers.
"We did realize some problems, and business was curtailed a little, but things went better than we thought."
Beal said he was happy to see State go from a two- to a six-lane highway before his eyes, and he hopes business in the area will increase because of it.
Kevin Beckstrom, a UDOT spokesman, said State Street is used by about 30,000 vehicles a day.
"It might have dropped a little during construction, but should pick up again now," he said.
The ceremony was attended by Provo Mayor Joe Jenkins, Orem Mayor pro-tem Joyce Johnson, highway officials, owners of local businesses and others who helped with the project.
Comments
- Family, friends remember nephew 1:54 p.m.
- Cougars routing Wyoming at half 1:32 p.m.
- Online math adds up to a lot of fun 11:57 a.m.
- Horse used to spook, now a star 11:57 a.m.
- Jobless husbands help at home? 11:41 a.m.
- There goes mom, the pack mule 11:40 a.m.
- Graphic novel explores logical quest 11:35 a.m.
- Fort Hood suspect asked for advice 11:23 a.m.
- Execs experience being homeless 10:58 a.m.
- Pewaukee Scout hits the target 10:42 a.m.
- Report details Prop 8 aftermath
410 - Gay advocates trek to LDS office
196 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - Letters: Care not a right
184 - Lobo suspended
167 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Jazz stumble in fourth quarter
106 - RSL rallies to advance
102 - Prep football: San Juan vs. S. Sevier
100 - Thousands protest health bill
98
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
The Cowboys? Isn't that the team that had Utah down 10-0 before the Utes...
Sorry Dude, gay people are not just like everyone else. We, who work with...
The markets have not been free and unfettered. Government regulation is every...
Was "Do your duty!" Mormons call to murder gentiles at Mountain Meadows? How,...
I guess we know who the better team is and now we know where the game should...
Shoulda stuck around. The game really settled down the last 10 minutes of...
This man, who happened to be Muslim, did a terrible thing. Because he...
Dude, you pick your battlefields. Did we immediately go at Germany? No....
We all know Pres, Benson wasn't talking about major decisions which will have...
Re: Best If We Finish Second I agree with you. I'm a LONG time BYU...


You can be the first to comment on this story.