Highway officials say a new parallel set of freeway lanes on Interstate 15 about to open in southern Salt Lake County may cut congestion there by half — but first, they warn of possible two-hour delays on Sunday for work to open those new lanes.
The Utah Department of Transportation said the long delays could come as northbound I-15 will be reduced to three lanes on Sunday between 10600 South and Interstate 215.
Also, ramp closures and associated detours will be in place while crews paint new stripes at critical access point. Ramps at 9000 South and 7200 South may be closed up to six hours at a time during the switchover process. The 7200 and 9000 South off ramps will not be closed at the same time.
As early as Monday at 5 a.m., UDOT plans to open a new collector-distributor system adjacent to northbound I-15 from 9400 South to I-215.
It will be similar to a set of collector lanes between 2100 South and 900 South in Salt Lake City. It will have a three-lane freeway section separated from the I-15 travel lanes by a concrete barrier.
The new collector system will be the only way that drivers will be able to access 7200 South and I-215 from northbound I-15.
It is designed to enhance safety and reduce congestion by eliminating the current weaving as drivers merge in and out of the I-15 travel lanes between 9000 South and 7200 South.
UDOT estimates it will reduce crashes by nearly 40% and cut travel times by 50%.
Drivers are encouraged to visit udot.utah.gov/i15northbound to view a tutorial video on how to use the new ramp system and access the 7200 South and I-215 exits.
Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Updated information is available on the UDOT Traffic app, or online at udottraffic.utah.gov.
