In the works by your trusted UDOT is an extensive reconstruction of the interchange of I-215/I-80 at the mouth of Parleys Canyon.
Why the need? As always with improvements, solving tragically slow commuter traffic. Maintaining vehicle speed and volume are at the core of reducing congestion. What UDOT doesn’t acknowledge as a huge reason is “through” vehicles of westbound I-80 to southbound I-15. And the reverse northbound I-15 to eastbound I-80.
This burdensome traffic, trucks mostly, doesn’t know the lay of the land and takes two interchanges at I-15/I-215 and I-215/I-80 when these have winding ramps, thereby necessitating slower speeds. If they are forced to only use the single I-15/I-80 interchange and simpler curves they would maintain speed. Local criss-crossing traffic of I-215, I-80, 3300 South, Foothill and Wasatch Boulevard already find it difficult to maneuver at peak traffic times. A second solution, and far too long overdue, is to create a reversible lane on Foothill. Currently it backs up clear to 3300 on some days. This method of raising capacity couldn’t be more obvious.
While a reworked interchange seems necessary, it is completely ignoring this issue. Eliminate national traffic removes the greatest contributor to tragic bottlenecking at Parleys. UDOT should post “No Through Traffic” at both intersections and ENFORCE IT!
Jeff Creveling, Salt Lake City