Segments of Harrison Boulevard are under construction for the BRT, as well as improvements to city utilities. According to James Larsen, UTA spokesperson, the city and UTA are working together to complete separate projects impacting traffic.

While the traffic pattern has been shifted to the east side of the street, two lanes in each direction with access to businesses and residences have been maintained.

Night work with lane restrictions will begin March 6, to prepare for waterline service connections on the west side of Harrison Boulevard. Residents of properties to be affected by temporary service interruptions in mid to late March will be notified by the UTA in advance, according to a UTA press release.

While the city installs new storm drains along Harrison Boulevard and 25th Street, UTA has agreed to do tie-ins to businesses on both roadways. “We are tearing up the road anyway,” Larsen said.

Photo supplied, Utah Transit Authority

Demolition of curbs and gutters along Harrison is scheduled to begin Tuesday, according to Larsen. Northbound lane closures are expected. However, Larsen said they are only closing one lane at one block increments to lessen the impact on travel.

Removal and replacement of driveways, curbs and sidewalks along Harrison were necessary as a result of widening the roadway to accommodate BRT stations and platforms as well as travel lanes. Traffic lanes, meant strictly for BRT buses, are being constructed in the middle of Harrison Boulevard from 32nd Street to the south end of Weber State’s campus.

Some 60 businesses along Harrison impacted by the widening of the road entered into a right-of-way purchase with UTA to sell a portion of the property.

The construction of the stations along with ten electric buses, road widening, roadway construction at WSU, right of way purchases and utility relocations have brought previous estimates of $80 million and $101 million up to $120 million.

A Federal Transit Administration Small Starts grant covers 75% of the total cost, with the remaining 25% coming from local funding. The BRT project is expected to be complete by 2023. The project connecting downtown with WSU and McKay-Dee Hospital has been in the making for over a decade.

Supplied by Utah Transit Authority

While simultaneous long-term construction can impact traffic, Larsen said it helps speed up the overall construction process.

Ogden’s BRT, originally a streetcar system, was discussed as the result of an Ogden/WSU transit study commenced in November 2004. The Ogden City Council deemed such a system to be too expensive, requiring more infrastructure work than the BRT.