(3/7/99)

As if I-15 reconstruction weren't enough, now crews begin work on Interstate 80 through Parley's Canyon. And work begins Monday, March 8. News Specialist Pamela Davis has details.

For people who work, play, or live in the Parley's Canyon area, free-flowing traffic will soon be a fond memory.

Interstate 80 is next on the list for some major repairs, starting Monday morning.

One motorist told us it "Sounds like another headache for the commuters."

From the Mountain Dell interchange to just east of Lamb's Canyon...crews will close the outside two lanes of Eastbound traffic. Expect delays.

Within two weeks, they'll do the same to WESTBOUND 1-80.

Patrick Bowman, of Vernal, says, "Travelling through it, you can tell that there's like a lot of spots where it needs to be fixed. There's a lot of cracks and like, dents in the road."

UDOT's Melanie Buck explains, "This road has been decaying for a long time, and they've done a lot of patching and a lot of putting things on top of the road to keep it and get the most life out of it as they can. But now it's really time to reconstruct the road, and get down to the base and start over again."

Crews are also supposed to install fiber-optic cables in the road. Then, if it chooses, UDOT can put up more Advanced Traffic Management signs. Buck feels, "It's an intelligent way of getting information, and using electronics to help us travel more smartly, and get information to the public so we're really happy about that."

You might be happy to hear Phase One of the project is scheduled to be finished in May.

But then Phase two will begin, from the mouth of Parley's Canyon to the Mountain Dell Interchange.

Steve Allred, of Salt Lake City, says, "Just add another thing. I don't think Salt Lake will ever be out of construction. It's crazy."

What you're facing for the next few months on Interstate 80 is a four mile stretch that will be down to two lanes. You're advised to expect delays and plan extra time travelling through the canyon.