Major SLC intersection closes for water line construction
Apr 25, 2022, 4:40 PM | Updated: Jun 20, 2022, 1:56 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City construction crews began a major waterline replacement project at one of the busiest intersections downtown Monday.
The intersection of State Street and North Temple has seen slow-moving traffic all day. Most of the 17,000 to 18,000 motorists who drive that way on an average day, will probably want to find a new route for the summer. Traffic troubles caught many motorists by surprise Monday as they came across a critical intersection with restrictions.
“I try not to come up here during rush hour anyway if I don’t have to,” said Holly Mullen, public engagement manager for the Salt Lake City Department of Utilities.
And for the next few months, the traffic will be even worse.
State Street from North Temple up to the Utah Capitol at 300 North is closed to through traffic for the summer. Crews will replace the water main dating back to 1908 on State Street between 200 North and 1st Avenue and rehabilitate the sewer lines at various locations along 200 North, State Street, and Hillside Avenue.
“This is the true middle of town,” Mullen said. “This is where the Mormon pioneers put down the temple and all of the structures around that. We need to update it and keep current with current needs.”
Residents of that area can access their homes. But, if you regularly drive this way, pick a different route for the summer.
Brandon Mountain from Bountiful drives this way on his commute. We caught up with him for a quick comment while he was inching along in traffic southbound on State Street.
“It’s just the quickest way,” he said, acknowledging that the traffic will probably be a problem for him, and he might find a different route.
The two-lane stretch of road is a thoroughfare for commuters, tourists, and others who live and spend time near the Capitol.
“We have a lot of commuter traffic, both northbound and southbound that goes to and from Davis County and Weber County and all the places north of Salt Lake City,” Mullen said.
Main Street remains open from North Temple to 300 North. But, you definitely want to avoid the intersection of North Temple and State Street while the $2 million project is underway.
“Take a few extra deep breaths, maybe a few extra minutes,” Mullen said. “What we don’t want to worry about is our workers’ safety or any kind of traffic safety.”
Next summer, UDOT will repave the intersection and that section of State Street, so the city needs to get all of this utility work done, and hopes to finish by the end of August.
