It also marks a crossroad in time.

Big plans, years after city mayors began pleading for improvements and after citizens won court battles that delayed proposals, are again slated for the area. The big plans are aimed at opening new entrances into the communities, while bringing big bucks to the cities in the way of sales-tax dollars.

The $125 million project includes creating an interchange at 11400 South, and widening the east-west roadway to five lanes and extending it to Bangerter Highway (4000 West) by bridging the Jordan River. It still hasn't won final approval, but that hasn't stopped the open space around the proposed interchange site to 325 West to begin giving way to construction.

"We've already got our side under construction," said Greg Schindler, South Jordan's senior city planner. A car dealership for the national Car Max used-vehicle chain is under construction. So is a Super Wal-Mart.

There's plenty of space for more - a Sam's Club is planned - with about 75 acres of open land to the north of the two developments.

Landowners on Sandy's side, who want to build mid-size box stores, apparently don't plan to tarry either.

"They're not waiting for the interchange," said Nick Duerksen, Sandy's assistant community development director.

While building construction hasn't started on the Sandy side, property owners are marketing the 30 acres to include businesses wanting 10,000 to 30,000 square feet of space. Retailers such as home-office suppliers and electronic stores are examples that fit that description.

The two corners on the proposed interchange's south side are in Draper. How much land and whether development is already in the works is unclear. City officials could not be reached Thursday for comment.

The project has been stalled for five years. Residents launched a legal battle arguing that UDOT failed to take a wide enough look at areawide transportation, and the agency had not done its environmental homework on land near the Jordan River. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the residents and halted the project by ordering an environmental-impact study.

That study covered a rectangle of land stretching between 10600 South and 12300 South, and from 700 East to Bangerter Highway. In recent weeks, UDOT has submitted to the appropriate federal agencies its revised plans.

UDOT expects a decision in the next three weeks, according to Joe Kammerer, a UDOT project manager.