'End is in sight' as part of new Bangerter Highway interchange opens

RIVERTON — Getting around on Bangerter Highway in the Salt Lake Valley is not as easy as much of the road is under construction.

But part of the project, a new interchange at 13400 South in Riverton, will hit a major milestone on Thursday. That's when drivers can begin traveling on the new road underneath the interchange.

It's one of four interchanges along Bangerter Highway where crews have removed stoplights to build the new interchanges.

"Once these four are completed later on this year, we're going to have free-flowing traffic all the way from I-15 in the south end of the valley to 4100 South," said John Gleason, spokesman for the Utah Department of Transportation.

That's a relief to businesses near the 13400 South interchange in Riverton. Inside May Nails on Wednesday, Hollie Higley sat down to get a pedicure.

"I am here to relax after a work day," Higley said.

But driving to the salon is not relaxing because of the construction and multiple detours in the area.

"It was definitely tricky to get here today," she said.

The ongoing construction has impacted the salon's business. Hieu Xuyna, who works there, said things have been "slow" as vehicles have a harder time getting around.

Higley also works in the area, on the other side of Bangerter Highway. She said construction has impacted her workplace, Neighborhood Pet Pawlor, as well.

"We got slow, and a lot of people are confused," Higley said. "They don't know how to get to us. It can change every day."

Gleason, the UDOT spokesman, said Thursday's opening of the road underneath the interchange will happen in phases, with all lanes opening by Monday.

"I think that's a sign that really the end is in sight," Gleason said.

Congestion in the area is not expected to improve, though, until the entire interchange is finished. That's likely to happen by November, Gleason said.

"It's exciting," Higley said of the construction progress. "We're ready. It's been a long, long time."

Separately, UDOT said another new Bangerter Highway interchange at 2700 West in Bluffdale will also hit a milestone Thursday when crews pour the bridge deck. According to UDOT, more than 60,000 vehicles use Bangerter Highway each day.

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