How should Utah spend $3.5B on transportation?

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Officials are seeking comment on proposals about how to spend $3.5 billion over the next six years for transportation along the Wasatch Front.

Proposed updates to plans include converting more interchanges on Bangerter Highway into freeway-like interchanges, extending the new Mountain View Corridor highway and adding a new Interstate 15 overpass in Layton to reduce congestion.

The Wasatch Front Regional Council annually updates plans for using federal and state funds over the next six years for roads, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Tooele, Morgan and Box Elder counties.

"The draft 2016-2021 Transportation Improvement Program provides a thoughtful, carefully reviewed prioritization of major transportation projects for the next six years," said WFRC Executive Director Andrew Gruber.

Among changes are proposals to begin work to convert five more intersections on Bangerter into freeway-like interchanges. Two such conversions have already been completed at 7800 South and at Redwood Road.

The new plan includes $61 million toward such a conversion at 5400 South; $41 million for 7000 South; $57 million for 11400 South; $49 million for 9000 South; and $48 million for 600 West. Some construction could begin as early as next year.

The plan also calls for spending $500 million to expand the Mountain View Corridor in western Salt Lake County from its current terminus at 5400 South to State Road 201. Construction on the first two-mile section between 5400 South and 4100 South is expected to begin next year.

The plan also would fund $20 million for a new I-15 overpass in Layton just north of the current Hill Field Road interchange. It would have one lane in each direction, and is expected to help reduce severe congestion in the area.

The proposed plan is available online at wfrc.org, and the council is taking comment on it through Aug. 8.

The regional planning agency will hold an online open house to answer questions about the plan and its projects on July 27 from 5 to 7 pm. at wfrc.org.