Link to More Reconstruction Information From I-15.Com
Traffic Link Cameras
(2/1/99)
The I-15 reconstruction project has moved into a new phase with
another major closure.
This time, it's the 5th South on ramp-- the busiest pipeline out of Salt
Lake's downtown area.
It shut down Monday night.
The barricades went up and the 5th South escape route from downtown is
now history.
News Specialist John Hollenhorst reports.
The 5th South on ramp is not closed forever. It will re-open again in 2001.
But you may not recognize it.
The planners of this project have a whole new game plan for getting us out
of town.
The on-ramp was half closed already. Northbound was shut-down a month ago.
And beginning Monday night, southbound cars have to find a new way out of town.
Michael Mower with Wasatch Constructors says, "We're fortunate in that we've
had other critical closures and they've worked out fairly well. And so we're
confident if motorists just pay attention to the alternate routes and to plan
ahead that this will be a smooth closure downtown."
Here are those alternate routes. Use 9th South to go southbound, or use
6th North to get on the freeway going north or south.
Planners hope many southbound commuters will actually go out of their way
to 6th North, just to divide up the traffic. Mower explains, "What they'll do
is, we'll ask them to head a few blocks north to save time heading south."
Eventually, early in the next millenium, the downtown interchange will look
different.
-
A new 4th South viaduct will lead to a northbound ramp for I-15.
- 5th South will take cars south on I-15 and west on I-80.
- Downtown off-ramps will be at 4th South and 6th South.
Some commuters are getting tired of the never-ending project. Others
couldn't care less.
Elaine Emmi of Salt Lake City says, "No, I avoid the freeways totally."
On the other hand, Chris Turner says, "I'm pleased. I think they've done a good
job compared to other projects I've seen in the past."
At the risk of further confusion, there's one more ramp to talk about.
Sometime this summer they plan to open a temporary on-ramp southbound from
4th South. That will take some of the load off those other ramps while the
project is being completed.
