Jan. 24, 2000
Drivers used to delays along I-15 were tickled when ramps connecting I-80 with I-15 and onto 6th South opened.
But now drivers are wondering why, with more room on the road, there isn't more room for them.
Traffic backs up along the interstate every morning where the I-80 offramp converges onto I-15.
And drivers have to wait in line, in one lane, to take the new, wider 6th South offramp.
With the freeway now wider in that area, drivers are wondering why there aren't more lanes to ease congestion.
"I WAS WONDERING WHY THEY HAVE ABOUT 20 FEET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND YOU CAN'T USE IT."
"I'D LIKE THEM TO OPEN IT UP. I MEAN THERE'S SPACE THERE. BUT IT'S ONLY GOT ONE LANE TO EXIT, SO IT IS KIND OF FRUSTRATING."
"I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM TO DO ONE MORE LANE."
"IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING THAT THEY REDO THE WHOLE INTERSECTION AND IT'S KIND OF THE SAME WAY AS IT ALWAYS WAS, WITH LANES MERGING INTO ONE."
A Wasatch Constructors spokesman says it's dangerous to dump two lanes of traffic onto the two lanes of I-15, especially in an area still under construction.
Mike Mower/Wasatch Constructors: "THE AREA IS NOT ENTIRELY READY TO HAVE ANOTHER LANE THERE. A LOT OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THEY'LL SEE AN AREA AND SAY I WONDER WHY WE'RE NOT MOVING TRAFFIC ONTO THAT AREA. A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT IT'S STILL A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. OUR CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES ARE STILL USING THAT."
Mower asks drivers to be patient, saying it's hard to judge what the final product will be based on what the freeway looks like now.
Mike Mower/Wasatch Constructors: "AS YOU'RE LOOKING OUT YOUR CAR WINDOW, YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHY THIS ISN'T OPEN AND WHY SOMETHING ISN'T TAKING PLACE, BUT IT'S JUST ONE PIECE OF A MUCH LARGER PUZZLE."
That area of the highway will eventually be five lanes with three lanes for the 6th South offramp.
Wasatch officials also say that extra space along the freeway is also reserved to store snow, should this winter bring more.
