A Matter of Opinion
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Wednesday, October 10, 2007 | 
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Sam Cooper
Standard-Examiner staff
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By Sam Cooper
Standard-Examiner staff
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By Sam Cooper
Standard-Examiner staff
OGDEN -- The Utah Department of Transportation held an open house Tuesday at Union Station to gather public comments about the possible expansion of the 24th Street interchange at Interstate 15.
"Currently we're in the information gathering phase and asking for public input on how they'd like to see the interchange," said Andy Neff, UDOT public involvement manager.
The expansion, which would include on and offramps for I-15 north, is hinging on an environmental assessment. The assessment is necessary to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires public input and full disclosure during the entire process. Such environmental factors as air quality, noise and traffic, as well as socioeconomic considerations, will be analyzed. Public input is also very important, Neff said.
"We're really focusing on how the infrastructure meets the needs of the community," he said.
The interchange has long been a problem, according to one local business owner.
"When you're traveling north on Midland and try to turn left onto 2550 South, its difficult, even dangerous," said Mark Jenkins, owner of Great Western Supply. "We're interested in some kind of northbound access to I-15," he said.
Currently, trucks leaving from Jenkins' shop have to drive around to the 21st Street interchange to get onto I-15 north. With the numerous trains, he said, sometimes they have to drive out to 1900 West and around.
The idea to expand the interchange has been tossed around for quite some time, according to George Benford, director of Ogden's public services.
"The city has always thought, 'when are they going to come in and finish this,'" he said. City officials envision the interchange as the gateway to downtown Ogden, he said. "We're working hand-in-hand with UDOT."
Currently, downtown visitors have to get off at 21st Street and drive through a less than savory industrial area to get downtown, Benford said. Areas on the west side of the interchange could also be redeveloped for motorist services, such as gas stations and restaurants, he said.
UDOT plans to hold another open house in the spring once the environmental assessment is complete, Neff said. Weighing public input, traffic patterns and the environmental assessment, UDOT will then decide if the project is justified. If so, engineers will pick the best design for the interchange, Neff said.
The current 24th Street interchange is adaptable to new designs, and there's enough room for the on and offramps if needed, Neff said.
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