Fortunately for Wal-Mart, Summit County is about to embark on a multifaceted 30-year plan to ease congestion around the area where Interstate 80 intersects with State Route 224.

The megaretailer probably won't have to wait long. The first phase of the traffic-management strategy could be completed by October.

Unlike nearby Heber City - where heated debate broke out over a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter - there was barely a peep when the retail giant sought to expand its Kimball Junction store, built in 1991.

In 2006, Wal-Mart officials presented plans to the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission that proposed the facility grow to 115,000 square feet. But it was just weeks ago that Wal-Mart informed the commission the upgrade would include 25,000 square feet devoted to grocery sales.

There already are three grocery stores in the Kimball Junction area, and two large grocery outlets in nearby Park City. But that issue most likely will not be the make-or-break aspect for Planning Commission approval.

The sticking point - traffic that bottles up the area during morning and evening rush hours. Throughout the Christmas holidays and the Sundance Film Festival, it's jammed all day long.

Commission Chairman Mike Washington said the traffic issue must be overcome before his group would approve expansion. Because traffic is a health-and-safety issue, it bears directly on the conditional-use permit that Wal-Mart seeks.

The $5 million first phase of the county's Kimball Junction transportation overhaul is scheduled to get under way in April, according to Public Works Director Kevin Callahan.

Initial work will concentrate on the intersection of SR 224 and Landmark Drive that winds past Wal-Mart and the Factory Outlet mall.

It would widen Landmark Drive to four lanes and change the alignment of the roadway to run south of Wal-Mart.

"We would basically double the capacity with the new alignment," Callahan said.

csmart@sltrib.com