LAYTON—“This has been a wonderful experience” is a phrase you seldom hear associated with road construction, but such was the sentiment at the completion celebration for the US-89 project in Layton last week. 

At the completion of the planning, evaluation and construction of this decades-long project, residents of the area were invited out to walk, jog, bike, and enjoy the vast improvements made to US-89. People from all ages and walks of life turned out to show their support, and excitement for the completion of this massive undertaking.

Among the bikes, tricycles, scooters and more, city officials from Layton, Kaysville, and Fruit Heights turned up to share their thoughts on what the completion of this project will mean for their individual communities, and Davis County as a whole. While each had something unique that they were excited about concerning their own cities, several sentiments rang true for all.

One of the most important updates that enthused Mayors Joy Petro, Tami Tran, and John Pohlman most was the improved safety. In her opening comments, Mayor Petro remarked how there would now be three safe crossings across US-89, meaning fewer accidents and fewer fatalities on a traditionally dangerous stretch.

Petro and Tran also remarked on the improved access that residents will now have to wilderness areas close to home, with Petro saying that locals can now, “Travel the whole Wasatch front in an active way.” Those certainly aren’t the only benefits either. 

All three city officials agreed that the new and improved US-89 would be “A new gateway to our city,” making it easier for residents and visitors alike to gain access to Layton, Kaysville, and Fruit Heights, along with other cities in the region. This will serve as a great boon to local economies, as visitors will be more likely to patronize local businesses if they can actually access them.

Yet another common thread between the comments from Petro, Tran, and Pohlman was one of gratitude to both UDOT and the project contractors, Oak Hills Construction. Over the long course of this project, residents had the opportunity to provide feedback on the project and give some much-needed insight into what needed to be changed, updated, or added.

Each city leader expressed their gratitude to UDOT and Oak Hills for paying attention and listening to their residents. Because of this consideration, the new US-89 has lowered overpasses, not only improving sight lines but also improving safety. These safer, more fluid updates have really made the highway, a “transportation hub for the county,” according to Pohlman. 

As US-89 also bisects each of these cities, each mayor expressed how glad they were for safe walkways that now connect the east and west sides of their cities. With far greater ease of access for residents, it’s no wonder that city officials and residents alike were grateful for the completion of this project. 

“On behalf of the entire staff and residents of Kaysville City, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the extraordinary achievement we have witnessed,” said Tran. “Our appreciation includes all those who dared to dream and made their vision our reality.”

The new and improved US-89 is now complete and will connect much of Davis and Weber counties, offering an alternative route to the often crowded I-15.