This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Department of Transportation plans this weekend to close Bangerter Highway between 4700 South and 5400 South — and warns that it is expected to cause long delays and heavy congestion throughout Taylorsville.
Plans call for closing the highway beginning 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday.
"This is to relocate part of the Jordan Valley Aqueduct," which is beneath the highway there, said John Gleason, UDOT spokesman. "This is in preparation to build a new freeway-like interchange at 5400 South beginning next spring."
He said the aqueduct carries 29 billion gallons of water every year. "So it is like a river flowing under the highway," he said. "That's enough to cover Taylorsville in 13 feet of water."
Gleason said UDOT is expecting heavy delays and congestion throughout nearby areas all weekend. "If you can avoid that area this weekend, it would be best."
UDOT has planned some detours. Southbound traffic will be rerouted along 3500 South to 5600 West. Northbound drivers will be detoured on 5400 South to Redwood Road.
East-West traffic on 5400 South and 4700 South will be allowed to continue as normal. "But we expect significant delays on them," Gleason said.
UDOT has told the Utah Transportation Commission it hopes to begin construction next year on a $208 million project to add freeway-like interchanges on Bangerter at 5400 South, 7000 South, 9000 South and 114000 South. That Construction is scheduled for completion in 2018.