(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Gary Herbert makes his mark during a tour of the I-15 CORE project in Orem on Wednesday. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Gary Herbert makes his mark during a tour of the I-15 CORE project in Orem on Wednesday. The $1.7 billion effort is expected to be finished in time for the holidays. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Gary Herbert makes his mark during a tour of the I-15 CORE project in Orem on Wednesday. Herbert said the timeliness and savings on the project justify the choice of contractors made by the state. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Gary Herbert speaks with Jack Chruma during a tour of the I-15 CORE project in Orem on Wednesday. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Gary Herbert and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, right, speak with Jason Harper on the progress of the I-15 CORE during a tour at the Orem Center Street exit on Wednesday. The governor says the state made the right decision in awarding the contract to the consortium that is delivering the project under budget and under schedule. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Gary Herbert, second from right, speaks with the media during a tour of the I-15 CORE project on Wednesday. The massive $1.7 billion project is 90 percent complete. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dan Scott, Joel Frausto and Rafael Velasquez, from left, work on the rock landscaping taking shape along the I-15 CORE project at the Orem Center Street exit on Wednesday. Construction officials now say it is highly probable the work will be finished on the entire project by the holidays. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Julio Martinez waters down the ground for Kyle Graham as he uses a plate compactor along the I-15 CORE project at the Orem Center Street exit on Wednesday. The $1.7 billion project stretches from Lehi to Spanish Fork in Utah County. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Gary Herbert makes his mark during a tour of the I-15 CORE project in Orem on Wednesday. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Traffic moves north as construction continues Wednesday on the Orem Center Street exit as part of the massive I-15 CORE project. Most freeway lanes remained open throughout the months-long project. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Construction moves along the I-15 CORE project as crews work to finish up the Orem Center Street exit on Wednesday. Gov. Gary Herbert went on a tour of the Utah County project that spans 26 miles from Lehi to Spanish Fork and is 90 percent complete. The $1.7 billion project is expected to be completed by the holidays. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) David Granados paints the underside of the I-15 bridge at the Orem Center street exit on Wednesday. The $1.7 billion project is expected to be completed by the holidays. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Construction moves along the I-15 CORE project as crews work to finish up the Orem Center Street exit on Wednesday. The massive highway rebuild project through Utah County will weigh in at $1.7 billion -- some $230 million under budget.