It's been almost a year since the grand opening of the biggest transportation project in Utah history.
I-15 will celebrate a birthday next Tuesday.
News Specialist Richard Piatt shows us how this transportation marvel has suffered a few bumps in the road along the way.
You might find yourself taking I-15 for granted.
But just in the last year, others haven't. The project has won awards--including a world-wide civil engineering honor.
It wasn't easy.
Construction was a multi-year ordeal that stretched for 17 miles.
People had to re-think how they travel, and dig deep for patience.
Carlos Braceras/UDOT Deputy Director: WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED A LOT OF TIMES WHAT WE HAVE OUT THERE. AND WE'LL ASSUME IT WILL ALWAYS BE THERE. AND A LOT OF FOLKS DURING CONSTRUCTION RECOGINIZED WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN THE FREEWAY WASN'T UP TO FULL CAPACITY.
Over the last year, the freeway has also won public praise.
UDOT is glad to trumpet 90 percent-plus approval surveys about quality and value.
But there have been a few bumps in the road.
An exit ramp was closed for weeks because people were mistaking the 400 South OFF ramp for the ON ramp.
Re-construction corrected the problem.
People were also confused at the Westbound I-80/I-15 exit--deciding how to get north and south.
UDOT re-positioned directional signs to help.
Some drivers also learned a hard lesson about the HOV commuter lanes. But most people caught on fast.
Richard Piatt, Eyewitness News: NEW TECHNOLOGY IS ALSO PART OF THE NEW I-15 PROJECT, SOMETHING THAT'S HELPED OUT HUNDREDS OF MOTORISTS IN NEED OVER THE LAST YEAR. UDOT KEEPS AN EYE ON 227 DIFFERENT CAMERAS ON THIS NEW
STRETCH OF ROAD.
All this makes I-15 a 'smart' freeway--smoother and safer driving, according to UDOT.
A year ago, there were skeptics, there was relief, there was pride at the grand opening.
Pride is one element that still remains.
Carlos Braceras/UDOT Deputy Director: THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE THE LATE '80'S. AND TO SEE IT COME TOGETHER THE WAY IT DID--WE'RE VERY PROUD.
Proud also that Utah has a road that will last a long time.
May 10, 2002
