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Show $ 160 million I-15 overhaul mulled By MARK EDD1NGTON Staff Writer SALT LAKE CITY Davis County freeway traffic may soon grind to a halt if the state does not approve $160 million expenditure along 20 miles of 1-15 between North Nor-th Salt Lake and Kaysville. Planners from the Wasatch Front Regional Council conducted a study of the 1-15 corrider between 600 North in Salt Lake City and 200 North in Kaysville to determine existing ex-isting problems and forestall those likely to crop up in the future. "The existing and future economic vitality of the corridor depends to a large degree on the capability of 1-15 to link the corridor cor-ridor with the rest of the Salt LakeOgden Metropolitan Area," the report states, emphasizing the import of the study. Among the study's more alarming alarm-ing conclusions is that the interstate is ill-equipped to handle the projected pro-jected increase traffic volumes expected ex-pected o v er the next 20 y e ars . Traffic is expected to grow by 35 percent at the north end of the corridor cor-ridor near Kaysville. A 100-percent increase is projected near the Salt LakeDavis County line. The population of the corridor area is projected to increase by 61,000 people by the year 2010, a 47-percent 47-percent increase. If the future projections paint a bleak picture, the study says existing ex-isting conditions along the corridor are also fraught with problems. The study identifies the interchanges between be-tween I-15I-215 and 2600 South in Woods Cross as having the worst level of service. Other areas such as between 2600 South and the Parrish Lane interchanges are a big problem prob-lem during peak usage hours. One of the biggest problems with interchanges on the south corridor is there are spaces too close together, resulting in too much weaving by traffic, the report said. Besides traffic flow, the study analyzed the rate and severity of accident rates. The segment of 1-15 between 2300 North to Beck Street, 1-215 to 2600 South and the 600 North, 2600 South and Parrish Lane interchanges were found to have the most accidents. Poor sight distance, speed, weather and weaving between be-tween lanes were several factors the report identified as having contributed con-tributed to the high accident rate. To mitigate existing problems and prevent future gridlock from rapid population growth, the study recommends the state spend $157 million to provide both short-term and long-term solutions. Short-term solutions recommended recom-mended within the next 10 years include in-clude proposals to add one lane in each direction of 1-15 between the 1-215 and 2600 South Woods Cross interchanges, add a weaving lane between 500 South and 400 North interchanges, and upgrading several other interchanges. The study also recommends lengthening on-ramps, improving off-ramps, installing additional signal lights where they are warranted, war-ranted, and relocating frontage roads. In addition the report calls for the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to expand bus service routes and increase in-crease the hours of operation during peak hours in Davis County. Short-term highway improvements im-provements have a projected price tag of $12.8 million. The expanded bus service is projected to cost UTA SEE STUDY ON A-4 t r Study CONTINUED FROM A-l $1.6 million to put in place and I $540,000 a year in operating ex- I penses. I Recommended long-term solu- I Hons include adding an additional I lane in each direction of I-IS be- I tween 600 North in Salt Lake City I and US 89 in Farmington, construe- I tion of West Davis Highway from I- I 215 to Shepard Lane in Farmington, I upgrading existing interchanges and I in stalling a new interchange at I Glover Lane in Farmington. I Additional long range solutions I include further expansion of the bus service, construction of additional park-and-ride lots and further study of a light rail system, along with interstate in-terstate lanes specially designated for high occupancy vehicles such as buses. The council is already working with Davis County leaders to pinpoint pin-point the exact location for the West Davis Highway. Cost estimations for the recommended recom-mended long-term solution are set at $142.24 million. The cost for expanding the transit system is estimated at $5 million with an annual an-nual operating cost of $3 million. Council planners have presented the study and its findings to the Utah Transportation Commission. "Right now the ball is in their court," said Mick Crandall, the council program director. Final decisions on the proposed recommendations will come from the commission, Crandall added. If the commission decides to implement the recommendations, Crandall said they have several funding options such as federal funds, state gasoline funds, and general funds from the legislature. The study was sponsored by the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority. |