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SOUTH WEBER — The morning commute to her job at Weber State University in Ogden along U.S. 89 and Harrison Boulevard is typically an easy 12-minute drive, says Lara Wright.
Going the other way after the workday ends, though, the time jumps to 20 to 25 minutes, thanks mainly to congestion around the U.S. 89/I-84 intersection — right in the middle of her commute. "It depends on the day, but there is a lot of backup," she said.
When Utah Department of Transportation officials planned and completed the $520 million upgrade of U.S. 89 from Farmington to South Weber in northern Davis County in June, they knew it would streamline traffic flow in the busy section. They also knew, however, the smooth traffic flow would likely peter out around the I-84 interchange in South Weber, given the presence of stop lights there.
A proposal from UDOT would address those issues and keep traffic moving through the busy intersection, as well as reduce the afternoon travel time for commuters like Wright and others who head north each afternoon on U.S. 89 from Salt Lake City to Ogden. But the proposed upgrade won't come cheap — the preliminary price tag totals around $700 million, with the bulk of funding yet to be earmarked. "There's a complexity part. There's a railroad part," said UDOT study manager Mike Romero, alluding to factors that bear on the steep cost.
Unveiling the plan
UDOT officials on Wednesday held a public meeting in South Weber to unveil the plans, answer questions about the proposal and seek public feedback. Romero, who provided the $700 million estimate, won't hazard a guess on when the money will be earmarked or where it would come from. He also doesn't know when work on the project would start, since the bulk of funding has yet to be allocated. But officials say the proposed improvement is needed, at least if smooth traffic flow on the U.S. 89 corridor is to be maintained through northern Davis County into southern Weber County.
"A lot of people have had positive things on that project. It's a better ride," said UDOT spokesman Mitch Shaw, referencing the U.S. 89 improvements finished last June. When they near I-84, though, they say the backups and braking begin due to limited traveling lanes and traffic lights.
The new UDOT proposal calls for the addition of a commuter corridor just west of the existing U.S. 89 corridor to haul traffic bypassing I-84 and the traffic lights around the intersection, thus keeping cars moving. Local traffic and motorists wanting to get on I-84 would use the existing U.S. 89 corridor, still encountering stoplights. The separate commuter section, running parallel to the existing U.S. 89 corridor, would extend from a point just north of South Weber Drive in South Weber north across the Weber River and I-84 through Uintah up the steep hill there to a point south of Skyline Drive in South Ogden.
Romero said the upgrade would improve driving for both local motorists and commuters who just want to get past I-84 since the existing corridor and proposed commuter corridor would share traffic flow. It would also theoretically make it safer for pedestrians to walk on paths alongside the commuter corridor since the traffic count would be reduced.
"It does really benefit the traveling community as a whole," Romero said. Further north, a flyover would haul southbound Harrison Boulevard traffic through the eastward turn onto U.S. 89 in South Ogden, eliminating a stoplight for those motorists.
Local reaction
Uintah Mayor Gordon Cutler, who attended Wednesday's meeting, finds the plan tolerable. U.S. 89 slices through his city. "I think it's the best that can be expected," he said.
Wright, for her part, thinks the plan is a good idea. She was also at Wednesday's meeting.
"I like the idea of trying to keep the commuters just moving. The separation thing is a good thing," she said, noting the growing population and growing traffic. "I say yes. We're going to have more and more people."
Still, there are challenges, aside from getting Utah lawmakers to earmark money.
Two Union Pacific bridges haul train traffic over U.S. 89 in the Uintah area and those structures would have to be rebuilt to accommodate the wider roadway corridor. "We've been coordinating with (Union Pacific) for about a year," Romero said. The proposal also contains many other elements, including improvements along I-84 on either side of U.S. 89.
What's more, two commercial properties and three homes would have to be cleared to make way for the upgraded road section. Another 45 acres of land would also have to be acquired from 75 distinct parcels, according to UDOT documents.
Romero said UDOT officials hope to come up with a final plan proposal by the spring of next year. Public comment will be accepted until Jan. 4.
