UDOT Opening New Traffic Options As Part Of Lehi Tech Corridor Reconstruction

LEHI, Utah – New traffic flow improvements will open Monday after Utah Department of Transportation crews restructure multiple parts of the Lehi Technology Corridor.

Changes include a new southbound offramp, a traditional interchange under I-15 at the Timpanogos Highway exit and a free-flowing U-turn ramp between one-way frontage roads at Triumph Bridge.

Utah County drivers have seen their share of orange barrels over the last decade with three major I-15 projects. People and business moving into Lehi have made traffic at the intersection of SR-92 and I-15 especially problematic.

“This area is seeing a huge increase in population,“ said UDOT spokesman John Gleason. “The roads are getting busier every year.”

In that time, the Timpanogos Highway intersection at I-15 has become one of the most congested and frustrating intersections on the Wasatch Front. Some of the new options available Monday are focused on disbursing traffic away from that single intersection.

“We’ve got all of these office buildings around here, and it’s very congested,” said UDOT project manager Boyd Humpherys. “People trying to get out and get home, and you really had to go through this (the busy intersection). It was your only option.”

The new options will enable some drivers to avoid the intersection altogether.

“We’re trying to do whatever we can to keep traffic moving and that means looking at different configurations that work for this area that has so much traffic every day,” Gleason said.

On Saturday night, UDOT crews will shut down SR-92 under I-15. When the intersection reopens at 5:30 a.m. Monday, the diverging diamond interchange built seven years ago will be replaced by a traditional interchange. Motorists will be able to continue straight onto the southbound frontage road with easier access to businesses.

Plan ahead: Timp Hwy will close from 11 p.m. Sat., 9/21 to 5:30 a.m. Monday, 9/23 as crews convert the existing DDI to a traditional interchange and prepare to open 3 new traffic features. Stay tuned for more on what to expect Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/SW6ND2jaxm

— I-15 Technology Corridor (@i15techcorridor) September 19, 2019

A new offramp from southbound I-15 to the frontage road opens Monday, allowing direct access to Thanksgiving Point and other businesses south of the current exit.

“All of these new additions are to give drivers and the traveling public more options to be able to get where they need to go,” Humpherys said.

A free-flowing U-turn lane on the Triumph Boulevard bridge will also open Monday. That U-turn will help drivers get from the southbound to the northbound frontage road. Those openings should give motorists a better idea of how the new system will work, Humpherys said.

At this point, you know Timp Hwy is closing this weekend, but have you seen what we'll be up to during that time? Check out all the new options designed to improve your commute in Lehi starting Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/w0gFeoegUR

— I-15 Technology Corridor (@i15techcorridor) September 19, 2019

There’s still a lot of work to be done rebuilding I-15 in Lehi, but motorists will have a few new options Monday between SR-92 and 2100 North in Lehi.

“We are making progress,” Humphreys said. “There’s a lot of work to be done. We’re about 70% complete.”

Officials said the $415-million project is on schedule and is slated to be completed in late 2020.

“If you look at where we were a decade ago to where we are right now, it’s a night and day difference,” Gleason said.