• New Challenges For I-15 Motorists
  July 12, 2000

From the I-15 reconstruction project comes this good news for commuters: Monday afternoon, crews opened the new bridge connecting eastbound Interstate-80 with northbound I-15.

This is the first of several freeway-to-freeway connections that will be completed during the next few months.

This is a big deal for traffic traveling on I-80 from the airport area because now, instead of having to get off the freeway at I-215 or Redwood Road, they can travel straight through and hook up with I-15 northbound.

Monday morning UDOT held a press conference on the bridge. The Governor was there and walked the bridge to inspect it. He was also in the first car to drive across it.

The Governor said, "We just worked so hard, and people have gone through so much. And we've all just been anticipating, and I think it's gone better than expected. But it's nice to have them open."

So far, the entire project is right on budget.

And, according to UDOT, the contractual completion date for Wasatch Constructors on the entire project is October 2001. But right now, they're looking to be on target to finish sometime in the summer of 2001.

Some Other Recent & Upcoming Changes

• The ramp from I-80 eastbound to the downtown area via 600 South re-opens in September.

• The I-15 northbound ramp to westbound and eastbound I-215 is now a single lane on about a one-mile stretch. That should continue for another few weeks.

• 5300 South Interchange-- all on and off ramps are open.

• 4500 South Interchange-- three of the four on and off ramps are closed. Motorists traveling eastbound on 45th South can still access southbound I-15. This continues for a few months.

• 1300 South Interchange-- northbound and southbound on ramps now open.

• SR-201 (2100 South Freeway)-- closed between Redwood Road and I-15.

• 33rd South-- southbound I-15 ramp is reopen.

  For a complete list, visit the I-15 Reconstruction website at www.I-15.com.