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SOUTH WEBER — Lara Wright says her morning commute to Weber State University in Ogden is usually an easy 12-minute drive along Route 89 and Harrison Boulevard.
But if you travel in the opposite direction after your workday ends, your commute jumps to 20 to 25 minutes, thanks in large part to traffic around the intersection of U.S. Route 89 and Interstate 84. I’m just on my way to work. “It depends on the day, but we have a lot of backup,” she said.
When Utah Department of Transportation officials planned and completed a $520 million upgrade of U.S. 89 from Farmington to South Weber in northern Davis County in June, they said it would improve traffic flow on the busy stretch. I knew how to rationalize. But they also knew that given the presence of stop lights, the smooth flow of traffic would likely be disrupted near his I-84 interchange in South Weber.
a Proposals from UDOT would address these issues Not only will it keep traffic flowing through the busy intersection, it will also reduce afternoon travel time for Wright and other commuters heading north on Route 89 from Salt Lake City to Ogden each afternoon. But the proposed upgrades won’t come cheap. Preliminary pricing totals approximately $700 million, with most of the funding yet to be allocated. “There’s a complex part. There’s a railroad part,” said UDOT Research Manager Mike Romero, alluding to the factors that drive the high cost.
reveal the plan
UDOT officials held a public meeting Wednesday in South Weber to present the plan, answer questions about the proposal and seek public comment. Romero, who provided an estimate of $700 million, would not hazard a guess as to when that money would be allocated or where it would come from. It is also unclear when work on the project will begin, as most of the funds have not yet been allocated. But officials say the proposed improvements are necessary, at least to keep traffic flowing smoothly on U.S. Route 89 through northern Davis County and into southern Weber County.
“A lot of people have had positive things to say about this project. It’s improved the ride quality,” UDOT spokesman Mitch Shaw said, referring to improvements to U.S. 89 that were completed last June. Ta. But as they approach Interstate 84, they say they start backing up and braking because of limited travel lanes and traffic lights.
The new UDOT proposal calls for adding a commuter corridor just west of the existing U.S. 89 to divert traffic around Interstate 84 and the traffic lights around the intersection and keep cars moving. I am. Motorists wanting to take local transit or Interstate 84 will use the existing US 89 corridor, which will still generate traffic lights. Another commuter section, running parallel to existing U.S. Route 89, would start just north of South Weber Drive north of South Weber, cross the Weber River and I-84, and wind up a steep hill through the Uintahs. It is planned to climb and extend to a point south of Skyline. Drive through South Ogden.
Romero said the renovations will improve driving for both local drivers and commuters who just want to cross I-84, since the existing corridor and the proposed commuter corridor will share traffic flow. He said that it would be. It would also, in theory, make it safer for pedestrians to walk along commuter corridors because of the reduced traffic.
“This is really beneficial to the entire travel community,” Romero said. If the viaduct were built further north, southbound traffic on Harrison Boulevard would pass through his eastbound turn onto U.S. 89 in South Ogden, eliminating a traffic light for motorists.
local reaction
Uintah Mayor Gordon Cutler, who attended Wednesday’s meeting, thinks the plan is acceptable. US 89 cuts through his city. “I think that’s the best we can hope for,” he said.
Wright thinks the plan is a good idea. She was also present at Wednesday’s meeting.
“I like the idea of keeping commuters moving. Separation is a good thing,” she said, referring to population growth and increased traffic. “I think so. There will be more and more people.”
Still, there are challenges beyond getting Utah lawmakers to allocate funding.
Two Union Pacific bridges carry rail traffic over Route 89 in the Uintah area, but those bridges will need to be rebuilt to accommodate wider road corridors. “We’ve been coordinating (with Union Pacific) for about a year,” Romero said. The proposal also includes many other elements, including improvements along I-84 on both sides of US 89.
Additionally, two commercial properties and three residential properties will need to be cleared to make way for the improved road section. An additional 45 acres of land would also need to be acquired from 75 separate parcels, UDOT documents said.
Romero said UDOT officials hope to have a final draft plan by next spring. Public comments will be accepted until January 4th..