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SALT LAKE CITY — State Street from North Temple up to the state Capitol is often busy, not just with people going to their homes in the area or people visiting the state headquarters, but with people who go up the hill and wrap around on their way to I-15.
But Salt Lake City public utility officials are advising drivers who do use it to reach I-15 to adjust their route for the next few months as crews begin to replace century-old water and sewer lines in a section between North Temple and 300 North.
Construction began Monday morning as crews blocked off vehicles from heading up the hill toward the Utah State Capitol, as well as traffic west on 2nd Avenue, so they can prepare for digging toward the water main located on State Street between 200 North and 1st Avenue. There are some sewer lines that will also be rehabilitated throughout 200 North, work that is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
Barring unforeseen issues, the entire project is expected to be completed in late August, said Holly Mullen, Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities.
There is a massive need to replace the pipes. City records show the pipes dating back to around 1910, and they don't have the ability to handle the growing numbers of people moving to downtown Salt Lake City.
The downtown and Central City neighborhoods expanded by nearly 6,500 people between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, making it the city's fastest-growing area over the past decade. There are also more people living in the city now than ever before.
"We kept (the line) going for some time, and didn't have any big issues, but tried to get ahead of this and build resilience into the infrastructure system up there, as well as for greater capacity as downtown continues to grow," Mullen said.
The project will cost about $2 million to complete, although it's unclear if COVID-19, supply chain and worker shortages, or even inflation will impact the project's timeline or cost as they have other infrastructure projects across Utah. These constraints did impact the public outreach of the project. Mullen said the city wanted to give residents and commuters a heads up well in advance but didn't secure a contractor until about two weeks ago.
Knowing the impact it would have on residents in the area, the city did conduct a "good bit of outreach" in community councils of the impacted area. Traffic on State Street will remain open for residents only. Mullen added that there's redundancy built in the city's water system that will help provide water to residents, so they shouldn't experience any water supply issues this summer.
Residents who have questions or concerns can call a hotline set up for the project at 385-341-2898. The city also set up an informational website: statestreetwaterline.com.
The Utah Transit Authority also temporarily moved its bus stop from across the street from the Church Office Building to a spot about 100 feet away.
As for those who drive by on their commute to Davis County, the city recommends they turn left from State Street onto North Temple and then right onto Main Street instead. That will connect them onto Columbus Street, which connects to Victory Road, then to Beck Street and I-15.
"There are definitely ways to get around that main way," she said. "We're just hoping people can take a little extra time, be a little patient because there are workers there. We need them to be as safe as possible, so follow the detour signs."
