From I-15, Gordon Avenue in Layton now extends to U.S. 89. State and local officials Friday morning celebrated the completion of the new extension from where Gordon ended before at 2575 East.

The Gordon connector was part of a $70 million project to add an interchange on U.S. 89, Utah Department of Transportation spokesperson Mitch Shaw said. That interchange and another new structure at Oak Hills Drive were cleared for traffic Friday. A third new interchange, at 400 North in Fruit Heights, opened recently.

The $473 million U.S. 89 expansion and rehabilitation project now shifts focus to a fourth new interchange, at Antelope Drive, and two new bridges, at Nicholls Road and Crestwood Road. Frontage roads and other aspects of the work remain – the project is expected to be done in late 2023.

“This is a transformative project that will enhance the quality of life for residents here in eastern Davis County,” UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras said in a news release. “We have now removed stoplights from four intersections along the highway, which will decrease the likelihood of crashes, improve travel times, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. We’re making it easier for people to get where they want to go.”

Crews also are widening U.S. 89 to three lanes in each direction and replacing the asphalt with new pavement. UDOT additionally plans to rebuild the U.S. 89 interchange at Interstate 84 in South Weber-Uintah. All these projects were undertaken after studies showed U.S. 89 was suffering unacceptable congestion in conjunction with projected long-term traffic growth.

Meanwhile, work is picking up in the Syracuse area on West Davis Highway, the new 16-mile, 4-lane road from Farmington to West Point. Shaw said crews are pile-driving ramp and bridge foundations along the Fremont Park Trail in Syracuse. The trail has been closed during the work.

UDOT crews also are clearing vegetation on Antelope Drive in preparation for upcoming road widening, and North Davis Sewer District crews are working on lines in the area of Antelope Drive and 3000 West.