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Davis Journal

Improvements to interchange will accommodate all types of users while increasing safety

Oct 17, 2024 10:46AM ● By Becky Ginos

After close to three years of study and a great deal of public input, the Utah Department of Transportation released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the accompanying Record of Decision last week for the I-15 corridor between Farmington and Salt Lake City. Construction could start as soon as 2027.

“One of the challenging parts was taking the feedback and determining how to incorporate it and balance it as well,” said Michael Romero, I-15 EIS Project Director. “It’s a unique process. People look at how it would directly impact them versus trying to see the impact overall. Public input is important for the project. We looked at every single comment prior to finalizing the document.”

This corridor will provide a new connection that will improve the interchange, he said. “It will make it easier to navigate for those walking, biking, taking transit and driving.”

Residents have expressed concern about adding additional capacity, said Romero. “Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the nation.

That’s not the only thing they looked at, he said. “We also need double tracking for FrontRunner. People say ‘then why not just do FrontRunner and not I-15?’ We can’t just do that, we need improvements to I-15. That explains the alternative we ended up with.”

There will have to be some adjustments to widen it, Romero said. “It depends on what part of the corridor. In Salt Lake it’s wide enough but if you go further north we’ll have to push it to the east because of the train on the west.”

Home impact is pretty low, he said. “Except that’s hard to say if you’re the homeowner, it would be very impactful for you.”

State and federal law prohibits the threat of eminent domain, said Romero. “You can’t take property without compensation. We’ve hired a professional appraiser that doesn’t work for UDOT to determine how much property is needed, whether it’s a partial or the entire thing. When that is identified we reach out to the owners.”

If it’s a full acquisition they look at different things, he said. “If we have to relocate the owner we put them in a similar situation as they’re in today. If the backyard extends to I-15 and we only need 10 feet they will still have a lot of usable yard left and it won’t impact the home or structure so we would buy a small portion of the property.”

UDOT is looking at adding sidewalks and better connection to transportation hubs, Romero said. “We’re improving I-15 and related active transportation that’s not here today and to make it safer.”

Romero said UDOT is looking for ways to incorporate trails, etc. “We take it very seriously to accommodate other modes of transportation and shared use. We’ll also work with local communities to make sure it’s consistent with their active transportation plan to get people around safely.”

It’s a busy stretch, he said. “With a project this size it will take three to four years to complete. Probably closer to four.”

For more information visit i15eis.udot.utah.gov. λ

Key features of the final alternative include

• A consistent freeway that includes five general purpose lanes plus one Express Lane in each direction from Farmington to Salt Lake City. Additional capacity is needed as part of a comprehensive approach to accommodate future travel demand in the corridor, which includes improvements to transit, local and state roads, and additional walking and biking facilities.  

• Improvements to each interchange in the study area to better accommodate all users – those who walk, bike, take transit and drive – and increase safe access across I-15 in each community.  

• New and separate walking and biking paths to connect existing pedestrian facilities along and across the freeway.