By Jeremy Couch
jeremy@newsroom.byu.edu
As road crews begin work on the I-15 interchange at University Parkway, BYU students and faculty could see immediate impact on everyday traffic routes.
The project will include new on-and-off ramps as part of a new Single Point Urban Interchange and reconstruction of the University Parkway bridge, which crosses over I-15, said Geoff Dupaix, Public Involvement Coordinator of UDOT Region 3.
The project was originally scheduled to cover a span of 18 months but was cut down to 12, Dupaix said.
'We are seeking to create the least amount of problems for drivers,' said Tracy Timothy, who is over traffic control and public relations for Ralph Wadsworth Construction Inc.
A lot of expense has gone into widening and shifting lanes to impact the public in the least possible way, Timothy said.
'In the future there could be delays getting into Cougar Stadium, but as soon as we have knowledge of these delays the public with be notified,' Dupaix said.
With the construction taking place off one of Utah Valley's busiest exits, there is potential for traffic delays.
The inconvenience not only affects BYU students and faculty but students at Utah Valley State College will be forced to adjust their traffic routes as well.
'We are preparing an alternative routes campaign to notify students there are other routes,' said Val Peterson, Associate Vice President of College Relations at UVSC.
UVSC will be losing the hook ramp that leads from the campus to I-15, Dupaix said.
'We know that losing the hook ramp will be a tremendous loss to the campus and community, but in the end things will be better,' Peterson said.
Dupaix suggests that the best thing for motorists to do is to be patient and look for alternate routes. After preliminary work is completed crews will work mostly at night.
Construction crews will focus their work along 1200 South between 400 West and Geneva Road on Monday through Saturday until they complete the project. The project is scheduled for completion on Sept. 15, 2001, Dupaix said.
See related story:
Area businesses concerned about I-15 construction9/13/2000