Under Construction
Text 
No Comments [ Add Comment ]By MITCH SHAW
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
Riverdale Road begins lane-widening process
RIVERDALE -- The Utah Department of Transportation began construction Tuesday on one of the state's busiest non-freeways.
The Riverdale Road Reconstruction Project officially began after UDOT hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site.
UDOT has a host of improvements planned for the road. And while there may be some visible effect on travelers, officials say the end product will ease traffic congestion and increase capacity for residents, shoppers and commuters.
The $38 million project will add one travel lane in each direction between the Interstate 84 interchange and the Weber River viaduct, improve traffic-signal coordination, and pave the road with lower-maintenance and longer-lasting cement.
"This project is one of the major projects in all of Northern Utah," said UDOT Region One Director Cory Pope. "It's going to be a great benefit to the people of Davis and Weber counties."
Officials say Riverdale Road handles about 47,000 vehicles a day and that 37,000 of those are commuters.
"This isn't just a Riverdale city project," said Riverdale Mayor Bruce Burrows. "This affects residents of Washington Terrace, South Ogden, Roy and anyone else who uses the road to travel back and forth from work."
For now, only the portion of road from I-84 to the Weber River viaduct is fully funded. Options are on the table for similar improvements to be made from 1900 West in Roy to I-84, and from the viaduct to 36th Street in Ogden.
Rep. Brad Dee, R-Washington Terrace, said funding for transit-related projects remains a top priority in the Legislature.
"The improvements to the road will benefit not only the people who drive on it, but also all of the business here in the area."
Because the area is home to many businesses and shopping centers, UDOT officials said they will try to make the construction impacts minimal.
The project is expected to finish in one year. The majority of road construction will be done at night.
Two lanes of travel in each direction will remain open during peak traffic hours every day except Sundays. Five lanes of traffic will be open from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.
"UDOT desires to minimize the impact of roadwork on the public as much as reasonably possible," said Randy Jefferies, UDOT project manager.
"We're using innovative techniques and partnering with stakeholders to accelerate the work, keep traffic moving and provide safe access to businesses."
The spring will be a busy season for UDOT, which has an estimated $1.2 billion worth of transportation growth projects in Davis, Weber, Morgan, Box Elder and Cache counties scheduled to be completed by fall.
In addition to Riverdale Road, construction projects include: the $685 million Legacy Parkway -- the South Davis segment of the larger Legacy Highway project; the $265 million I-15 NOW project, which will add lanes to Interstate 15 from 2700 North in Farr West to the Riverdale Road exit; construction to 12th Street in Ogden; and the I-15 Davis Lane Gain project, which will widen the freeway in Davis County.
Add Your Comment
