Construction along Highland Drive in Sugar House is officially paused until after the new year.
That means two-way traffic is now restored along the stretch of road between 2100 South and the Interstate 80 overpass — a major artery of small business and big-box store traffic.
The construction pause marks the close of the first phase of the Highland Drive project, which broke ground in February, and allows for easier business access as the holiday shopping season ramps up. Local business owners along the stretch have said construction has deterred customers and cost them money.
“It’s so important this holiday season that Salt Lakers support local businesses and shop small,” Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a video this week posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, announcing the pause.
The pause will remain in place until next year, when the second phase of the Highland Drive project begins.
That second phase along Highland Drive (1100 East) will stretch from 2100 South north to Logan Avenue, adding new bike lanes, additional space for roadside trees and some “enhanced” on-street parking, according to the project website.
(Screenshot from 1100 East/Highland Drive project) Construction for phase 2 of the Highland Drive project will resume in 2024.
The first phase added a multi-use path on the west side of the impacted Highland Drive section, along with bike lanes and more landscaping to help “enhance the Sugar House character,” according to the project website. Crews also upgraded old sewer, water and storm drain infrastructure.
Construction on the second phase of the Highland Drive project is expected to take until the end of 2024 to complete.
But there’s still more construction to come in the area — especially as 2100 South undergoes a major facelift between 700 East and 1300 East.
Crews also continue to replace a 100-year-old sewer line along 2100 South between Highland Drive and Yuma Street.