SALT LAKE CITY — Utah transportation officials are urging motorists to plan ahead before they close three key ramps for a little over a month beginning this week, including one linking I-215 to Salt Lake City International Airport.
Read more Opinion: Fast-growing communities deserve a fair shot at federal transit funding
Ramps connecting northbound I-215 to westbound and eastbound I-80, as well as Redwood Road, are slated to close beginning at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The I-80 ramps are expected to remain closed for about 5 weeks, likely reopening just before Labor Day, while the Redwood Road one isn’t scheduled to reopen until early October.
Travelers seeking to get to the airport are encouraged to take the I-15 to I-80 connection or Bangerter Highway while the ramp to I-80 is closed.
The three new closures join a longstanding closure of the ramp connecting Redwood Road to northbound I-215, which remains closed until July 2027.
Read more Deseret News archives: The day a plane hit the Empire State Building 79 years ago
All of the closures are tied to the Utah Department of Transportation’s ongoing I-215 West Improved project, which started last year and hit its halfway point in June. It calls for many sections of I-215 to be repaved in the area, while 18 bridge decks are replaced and 12 bridges are repaired.
That includes larger repairs to ramps like northbound I-215 to westbound I-80, which was briefly closed for smaller pothole repairs in 2024. While it’s a burden for commutes, maintenance is important for safety and road longevity, said John Montoya, a UDOT project manager.
“Much like a car or a home, a bridge requires different kinds of maintenance throughout its life. Staying ahead of that maintenance helps keep our transportation system safe and reliable, and helps us get the most from the infrastructure Utahns have already invested in,” he said in a statement.
Read more High school football: Summit Academy early favorite to finish atop 2A North region
The full $190 million project is still on track to be completed in 2027.