FARMINGTON—There’s a lot going on along I-15 near Farmington as the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) works to build a freeway ramp that will connect southbound I-15 to the future West Davis Highway. Large white blocks are being used to construct the ramp. The blocks might look like a stack of Legos but they’re actually geofoam which is similar to the Styrofoam used in packaging.

“It’s another tool in our toolbox,” said Rex Harris, UDOT project director for the West Davis Highway. “Soft soil has the potential of settlement and we’re in a tight area between the railroad tracks and I-15.”

Geofoam is 100 times lighter than earth, concrete or asphalt, he said. “The weight of using dirt to build the ramp would cause the ground underneath to settle anywhere from several inches to a few feet.”

The first time it was used in Utah was for the I-15 construction before the Olympics, said Harris. “It was also used along an embankment on I-15. People are driving over geofoam now.”

Each block weighs about 200 pounds and measures approximately 4 feet by 5 feet by 9 feet, he said. “The foam itself can hold traffic. One square foot can hold four tons. Times that by 100s of feet and you have a sturdy ramp.”

The blocks can be used as is or cut to fit. Once in place, a concrete slab is poured on top, Harris said. “Concrete walls are installed vertically on the sides. It caps it off and seals it. It is isolated so it doesn't seep into the environment. It’s quite safe.”

It’s amazing, he said. “Walls with earth take months to build. With geofoam we can get a wall up in about three weeks.”

The blocks move around quite easily, said Harris. “It’s the big version of Jenga. They go together well and stack so they’re pretty tight.”

Harris said they expect the West Davis Highway will be open to traffic by the end of the year. “We’re excited. There are a few things we’ll have to do but we want traffic on the road and we’re on track to do that now.”

The project is considered a green-filled road, he said. “That’s a road that has not been built before. People who live in the area don’t really notice the construction but once we start building structures over I-15 everybody knows.”

Harris wants to stress the importance of safety in the work zone. “Slow down as you go through them,” he said. “We had a closed lane and an impatient driver decided to go on it at 100 mph just to get around other people. No one was hurt but it was a poor decision. Pay attention for your safety and the safety of our workers.”